They Say it's YOUR BIRTHDAY!!

Two members of our original crew are celebrating Birthdays today! 

Happy Birthday to Dad AND Val...

You are so MORBY.

The time I went camping and left the pink sparkle watch at home.

Aside from one ill-fated campout in '95 or '96, when my cousin Hilary was scared off for good thanks to a certain notorious thunderstorm, I have been the only girl to regularly attend the Morby campouts with my dad, brother, cousins, and uncles.

I don't know why my sister or other cousins have never had any interest in joining us, or why the one night Kathy spent out there this most recent campotu was, as she put it, "my first and last campout."

What's not to love? Campfires, fishing, hiking, guns, fireworks, food
straight off the grill or camp stove, reading by the lake... These are a few of my favorite things!

Of course, there's no running water, a few bugs and snakes, and sleeping on the ground... But no, even then: what's not to love?

One thing that I noticed several times was the interesting dichotomy and warring halves of my girly and tomboy camping sides. For instance:

Yes, I did manage to wash my hair over the weekend. BUT I washed it in the lake. With some Old Spice body wash, because that's what was
there.

Okay, so I brought back some honeysuckle from the woods to put on one of the picnic tables. BUT in my other hand? I was carrying a snake skin.

Yes, I brought my comforter out to the campsite in a Nordstrom shopping bag. BUT I carried it into a tent that I OWN and set up myself, with some help from Dad, before we also set up my brother's tent. So.

Fine, I brought back more wildflowers from the field out by the power easement. I'll give you that one. BUT I hacked off the ends with a machete so they would fit in a cup of water.

BOOM.

Sound like too much fun to be had? IT WAS. Want to feel like you were there? Click play!
Previously: 2010 Morbypalooza Campout Video

Rain. Pizza. Eyeballs.

After work today I drove out to the ball fields, even though I knew full well that the game's cancellation was most likely imminent. Sure enough, five minutes after I arrived, the umpire DROVE BY the field, rolled down his window, and shouted, "Game's cancelled!"

Well.

The obvious solution at this point? PIZZA, of course! So the entire team plus the fans (hi!) loaded up and drove through the driving rain and HAIL to the best pizza joint in town (Bruno's, duh!).

We discussed auditioning for The Amazing Race, growing up with cows in the front yard (what?), and I probably talked way too much about Jimmy Fallon. But it was greatness.

Friends, laughter, and pepperoni. That's basically the three cherries lining up on the slot machine of FUN, according to Val. So shall it be written.

From there I braved a dark and rainy and lightning-y drive over to the grandparents' house, entertaining myself (and probably people in the cars stopped next to me at lights?) on the way by cranking up the radio and singing/dancing along, because sometimes you just gotta get your dance on to Cee Lo. (Or is that not a thing?)

Ginger was beat from a full day of speaking (did I already excitedly mention that SHE'S IN TEXAS???) and was working on notes for tomorrow, so the evening was pretty low-key. But just sitting in the living room with both grandparents, Mom, Dad, and sister, was enough.

We watched the end of the Lady Bears basketball game, which was MOST exciting, and even though I didn't go to college at Baylor or anything, I have enough family members who are DIE HARD FANS (and one who was there-- Hi, Aunt Kathy!) that I felt a swell of pride and ALMOST said "Sic em!" when the game ended. Almost.

Instead I just played another round of Draw Something.

Dad and I laughed about local commercials, I spent a bit too long writing a tweet about the song "Lucky", and Grandpa had just a little bit of trouble working the DVR (did I already mention that he has 139 episodes of NCIS saved up???). Mom told me about making Ginger's t-shirt quilt, Cousin Amy called, and Grandma talked about having surgery on the inside of HER EYEBALL during a discussion of phantom pains.

So that was my evening. How was yours?

Hang a Shining Star

Business as usual at our house, as Mom and Dad put the finishing touches on the Christmas tree.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

And Then She Got Married

This past weekend I had the honor, the privelege, and the delight of attending my cousin Hilary's wedding in Houston.

It was SO much fun, full of laughter, cousin time, and then also some more laughter.

Hilary is the closest relative in age to me (even closer than my sister), and I can recall many special memories of just the two of us, including times spent singing "Barbara Ann" at the top of our lungs in the shower at Grandma's house!

It was also SO wonderful to spend time with Grant, who is still recovering but basically kicking this whole medical speed bump in the rear.

I'm so glad everyone was able to go, and that the entire weekend went so smoothly and so fun-ly. Hurray and Huzzah!

Congratulations, Hilary!!!

InstaHipster

Hey so this one time yesterday I got an iPhone.

I KNOW. Finally. In fact, one of the first texts I received upon getting the iPhone welcomed me to the 21st century. A-hem.

I am still a bit overwhelmed by... everything, including the garganuanly huge number of apps currently available. (Speaking of-- do you have a favorite? I want to know!)

A great way to avoid getting overwhelmed in said app store is to pretend apps don't exist, and instead spend all available time playing with Instagram. Somebody get me an ironic scarf and some thick rimmed glasses- I am now one step closer to being a hipster.

You didn't really want anything more out of this blog than to watch me document mundane details of my evening, did you? Okay, good. Because it is now time for INSTAGRAMANIA!!!

Driving home from work. (I was into driving when it was still underground.)


My grandparents' house is too mainstream for me now:

Grandma made Tostados for dinner! You've probably never heard of it.

Me, five minutes ago, wondering when my Hipster Membership Card will arrive.

Okay, I am SO over blogging.

Grant

My life is richly, richly blessed. One area of my life that God has seen fit to bless is my insanely fun, spontaneous, close-knit cousins. There are 11 of us.


We all grew up spending time together at the beach house in Galveston, visiting each others houses, and celebrating Christmases together at my grandparents' house. Playing The Roach, watching "Hot Shots," shooting off fireworks, putting on Christmas "pageants," running around at the Balloon Festival together, building forts on the beach, camping out at Grandpa's farm, and laughing at each other. (Lots of laughing at each other).

Even now, we cross paths frequently, enjoying our Smorby Christmases, traveling together to weddings, meeting up at Grandma and Grandpa's house, and staying up late laughing at the beach house.

For the past year and a half, I've been blessed to live in the same city as two of my cousins, Carter and Grant. We eat dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's every Wednesday night, discussing movies, planning our "Family Feud" team, and laughing about our crazy family. They've come to my apartment several times this summer to cool off in the pool, and invited me over to their house for steaks. They come to church with me, and afterward we always go out to lunch (Oliveto is a favorite).

This past Saturday morning my day came to a crashing halt with one phone call.

Grant was in an accident. He's in the hospital. He's critical.

He was hit by a car in a parking garage late Friday night. The driver didn't stop to see if he was okay. God sent an angel in the form of a med student who found Grant almost immediately and not only called 911, but also found Grant's phone and called my aunt and uncle.

Grant has severe internal trauma to his abdomen- particularly his liver. He's already had two surgeries, and is set to have a third tomorrow.

And yet.

And yet the Lord is doing SO MANY great things. Bringing SO MANY people together in prayer over Grant. We continue to hear stories about more and more people who know of Grant. Stories that prove the world is a very small and well-cared for place. I am overwhelmed.

It's hard to hear about him being in in this condition. This young, healthy, Crossfit-rocking guy. Unconscious. My responsible, hilarious, polite cousin. Sedated. I was just at his house watching movies. We were just laughing about our grandparent's aversion for normal sized boxes of Saran Wrap, instead opting for giant reams of the off-brand stuff that lasts for years. I was just bringing him a bomb pop at the pool because it is SO HOT these days, and who doesn't love a bomb pop??

Thankfully Grant seems to be taking a turn for the better today. Just this afternoon, his sister Hilary shared this on Facebook: "Just went into see him and said "Hi Fatty" (nickname i have for him) and he started nodding his head. Sweet Granty!"

And shortly thereafter: "A Pastor in Fort Worth just came up to the hospital to pray with us. Went into the room with Grant and my parents to say a prayer and my Dad said Grant was nodding his head and could tell he knew the Pastor was in there praying for him! God is at work here!"

Oh, He is at work alright! I am so amazed that I am called to serve such a benevolent Jehovah Rapha. God who heals.

God who won't give up on me.

On you.

On my cousin.

Thank you. Thank you for your prayers.

Once Upon A Time In New York

I'm nothing if not timely. (Ha.)

My parents took Clay and I to New York back in April. It was amazing. It was... video-worthy.

Oh, would you look at that! There's a video of the trip right here! Gosh, how did THAT get there?

Well, as long as it's just sitting here, why not take a break from your day to enjoy a few virtual minutes in the city with us? No flights required, all you have to do is press play:



Thanks for watching! It means a lot to me.

Clayboy

Val and I have a brother. His name is Clay. He will never ever read this unless someone pulls it up on a computer and marches him over and makes him sit down in front of it. That's ok.

Today Clay turns 23. I remember when he was small enough for me to pick up when my mom turned her back.

I remember when he was finally old enough to attend the camp where I worked. I beamed with pride, even when he threw up during a skit.

And now he's taller than me, finishing up school, and making us all laugh.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! We love you Clayboy. :)

A Good Day

Last weekend at my dad's retirement luncheon I met several people who had heard a lot about our family, and in particular my siblings and I. (Of course.) (We're pretty famous.)


And I believe a few of them even read this blog! (Hi, Dad's co-workers!)

A sentiment that seemed to be echoed throughout the luncheon, particularly after they'd seen some of the creativity that my extended family posesses, was admiration for our family and the fun that we have, and some even joked that they wanted to join it!


It's so true: everyone wants to be a Morby! (Let's be honest here.) (Kidding, kidding!)

Seriously, though- we are blessed with a family that enjoys spending time with each other, teasing each other, and quoting "Murder By Death" together.

Last Sunday we got the chance to spend an entire uninterrupted day as a family, just the five of us, celebrating a joint Mother's/Father's Day where Ginger, Clay, and I planned a full day of food, fun, and (semi-) friendly competition.

I made a video of the day so you could all "join" the Morby family for a few minutes. Hope you enjoy!

Thank You

UPDATE as of 5/13: Amy is being discharged from the hospital TODAY! When she heard the news she shouted "YES"! Thanks again for all of your prayers. :)

Morby Girl Cousins...

Thank you for your e-mails, texts, thoughts and prayers regarding our cousin, Amy.

She's been in the hospital for 12 days with pneumonia, most of them in ICU. As of today she is ventilator free and hopefully moving out of ICU!

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank God.

Request

Val and I have a cousin named Amy. She's one of a kind.

(Amy with my mom)

Fierce hugs.

Amazing dancing.

Outrageous costumes.

Hilarious personalities. *Yes. Personalities. :)

Dearly loved by our family.

Amy is currently battling a critical case of pneumonia. She's stable, but it has been a long and emotional week - especially for her parents.

Will you add Amy to your prayer list?

Will you ask specifically that:

1. Doctors will have wisdom for her treatment.

2. That she will take a quick turn for the better and be up on her feet dancing and twirling and wearing her Hannah Montana wig soon?

3. That God will grant peace.

Thanks bloggies.

__________

UPDATE as of Monday morning: Amy is still in ICU but she remains stable and receiving the oxygen she needs. Continue to keep her in your prayers. Thanks, the Morby sisters.

Etymological

Grandma: How do you even get pneumonia? How do you catch it?

Carter: Isn't it... Oh wait, that's hypothermia.

Grandma: I know it has to do with fluid in the lungs. Fluid. Hey, maybe that's how they named it! Flu... Fluid.

Valerie: Pneumonia, Grandma.

Grandma: Oh, right.

Carter: How did they start spelling that? Why is there a "p" at the front of the word?

Grandma: Yeah, I don't know how they came up with that word! Valerie, do you know?

Valerie: No, I don't know. Do you want me to look it up?

Grandma: No, don't look it up! You always have to look everything up! Don't you ever just sit and ponder something?

Valerie: Not really. If I know the answer is out there and I want to find it, I don't wait to go chase after it.

Grandma: Hmm. Ponder. I wonder where that word comes from.

Carter: I bet it has to do with the word "pond."

Grandma: That's good! You're probably right!

Carter: People'd just be sittin' by a pond, thinking about something...

Grandma: Pondering. That sounds right. I think we should all pick a word and try to find where it came from.

Carter: Like... radio.

Grandma: Well, that's because it goes out, in a radius. <moves her hands outward>

Carter: Is that why? I never knew that!

Grandma: <Laughs>

NY: Hog Heaven

Val and the rest of my fam are living it up in NY.

Proof.

Also proof that we are a family skilled in hamming it up and hogging the screen.

Something Good This Way Comes

I had a good weekend. A lovely weekend.

A sparkling weekend.

One of those really low-key, but really fun couple of days. It would be more appropriate if I was sharing this with you on Sunday or Monday, but you know how it is. Sometimes... with the stuff going on... and the... yeah. Amiright??

Friday after work I hit up Jason's Deli with a big group of friends and families. It's true: I start my weekends doing some craaaaaazy stuff. Case in point: tomato basil soup. WHAT UP, WEEKEND!

After that I stopped by my grandparents' house to chill with them, my aunt and uncle, and some cousins, including newly engaged Hilary and her fiance Jeff! <insert girly squeal here> We spent the evening chatting, laughing, and hearing about wedding plans!

Saturday morning I slept in until almost 10, and then hit the park by my apartment for some walk/run time, accompanied by the sunshine and Wait Wait Don't Tell Me.

Then before I knew it I was showered and in the car on my way to meet a college friend for lunch! Taylor is now a bigshot television anchor at the largest news station in my city, so it's always fun to turn on the TV and see my friend! It was great to catch up with him and hear ridiculously hilarious stories of getting recognized around town as well as some of the funny things that happen behind the scenes at a news station.

That afternoon I picked up Grandma and the two of us headed to the AZALEA TRAILS! I was so excited that we had such perfect weather and am so glad we got the chance to check out all the flowers.

(Keep reading: beauty ensues.)

Sigh. Don't you just want to come visit me now?? I've got a floor with your name on it....

I spent the rest of the afternoon in my grandparents' backyard, soaking in the summer-y sun and listening to some pretty hilarious/adorable g-parent banter.

Grandpa: Would this fire pit look better with the lid on?
Grandma: Who are you trying to impress?
Grandpa (smiling): I'm trying to impress myself!

Grandma: I can't breathe with all that smoke! You know I have problems with my lungs!
Grandpa: That's not the only problem you have.

Heart.

That night Grandpa fried fish and shrimp out on the porch and all nine of us got to sit and laugh together over dinner together before watching "Father of the Bride" with the bride-to-be! <insert girly squeal here> So much awesome going on. Sigh.

Sunday morning I met the crew at church and then joined everyone at the grandparents' house again for lunch! (I know, I am SO SPOILED.) Oh, and special aside to all cousins reading who were not present on Sunday: Lunch was followed by Grandpa's chocolate malts served in frosted wine glasses. Zing!

From there it was on to movie club, where we watched one of my all-time favorite movies, "The Thin Man!" The other club members have received their instructions to be on the lookout for a real life Nick Charles.

I MEAN REALLY.

The weekend ended as all weekends should: with a party! Joanna's birthday was celebrated with balloons, streamers, cute kids, tacos, and best of all, a photo of our entire group! (NOT an easy task!) All in all it was a great little party with too many fun people.

It's always nice to talk and laugh the final remaining hours of a weekend away.

Now this kind of day has no night. Yeah, this kind of day has no night. And I ain't got much on my mind. I ain't got much on my mind. Cause I know something good this way comes.

Xanga

It's true. Prior to blogger Val and I both spent a lot of time posting on Xanga. I liked Xanga. You know what I liked MOST about Xanga? Every post you could leave a little photo of books, music, and shows that youwerechecking out.Before you tell me to just add Facebook applications - I would like to take this moment and let you know that I am a Facebook purist. I don't WANT to add applications, games, quizzes, music, or bookshelves to my page. Perhaps I'm being stubborn.

Whatevs.

So... I'm going to do it anyways. I'm giving you a top list for the moment in hopes that you will also be generous and share any gems that you've discovered.

What I'm reading: Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges.

I mentioned this book last week and I'm going to mention it again. This book is challenging me so much. My Tuesday night group is walking through these chapters and so far it has taken us a month to finish talking about just three of them. A quote that has stayed with me since the first chapter: In one sense, Paul's letter could be summarized in this statement: "You are saints. Now act like saints!" Sometimes that idea is expressed more succinctly as, "Be what you are." That is, be in your behavior what you are in your state of being.

What I'm listening to: The Ladder by Andrew Belle

I love this album. Andrew has a lovely voice and a gentle way with lyrics. He tells story in songs that are both moving and soothing. If you want to see a beautiful use of the title song, then check out the Lingberries' wedding trailer. Gor. Geous.

Lyrics from another of my favorite

songs, "Oh My Stars"

oh my my
oh my stars
everything you see is ours
or it could be if you would try i wish you would
i wish you might
oh oh
if everything you've said to me has been true
then all my stars are leading me to you ooh ooh ooh ooh

What I'm (we're) watching: The Next Great American Restaurant

We really enjoy this show. The reason... my guess is that we love food. D and I are always trying to think up concepts for new restaurants or ways to improve dishes... and I really like Bobby Flay. So far this show has been low on drama and high on the American Dream. 10 contestants all vying to create America's next fast casual restaurant. The last idea standing gets the money to open three restaurants. I'm sure this show is imperfect, but we have enjoyed the first two episodes on our DVR.

What I'm (we're) really watching: Ohio State Basketball

I married into a scarlet and grey dynasty. I had no idea how deep the rabbit hole went... but I will say that I have enjoyed having a winning team in my bracket this year. This team is fun to watch and we have our fingers crossed to see them on the court when we head to...

Where I'm (we're) going: TEXAS

One giant road trip that includes the

Final Four(!), family, friends, and food. I cannot wait.

O-H... err... The eyes of Texas...

Ordinary Things

We awoke at 3:30am on Saturday morning to jazz music. Usually the radio plays NPR to awaken us at a decent hour (say 6:50am), but Saturday we almost jumped up in anticipation. (Or we dragged ourselves out of bed at 3:46am, using up every spare last minute.) We showered, packed up the car, grabbed two cups of coffee and pulled out of our driveway at 4:16am.

D and I were bound for Puerto Penasco, Mexico. Because of a connection through our church, we were introduced to a kind doctor who gives much of his time to opening free clinics in Penasco. The clinic is only open for a few hours one Saturday a month, so they need as many doctors, PAs, and nurses as possible to see the throngs of patients.

When D proposed to me, he told me that he wanted us to use our gifts together in different parts of the world. This was our first opportunity to go. We jumped at the chance. While we knew D would spend his time seeing patients, I was unsure as to what I would be doing for five hours outside of a small clinic. I figured I would try and revive my Spanish and hopefully entertain the children waiting to see the doctors.

After four hours of driving, a stop at McDonald's, and NPR

Driveway Moments (we might be addicted), we found ourselves pulling up to two small buildings in Penasco.

The Doctor who began these free clinics doesn't actually have his own building. He hops around to churches and clinics, setting up wherever he finds availability. I almost wrote that he sets up where there is the greatest need... but the truth is that the need is great everywhere in Puerto Penasco.

-+15 thousand Families living in 50-150 sq ft. shacks, burnt out cars, underneath cardboard and pallets

-No running water or power
-Limited or no access to health care services

-60% of kids don't advance to high school

-40% of the population is unemployed

D and I always thought that we might travel to Africa or India, in hopes of helping where the need for medical attention was most

profound. But if I'm honest with myself I know that I also want to travel to Africa and India for selfish reasons. I've been dreaming of Africa for years, not Mexico... and yet I still haven't made it across the ocean.

Count the use of "I" in that last paragraph. I though, I know, I want, I dream, I haven't... I (hah) will be the first to admit that dreams and desires are good things... but they aren't always the best for what's right now. There is a need four hours from my home. There are needs on my own street.

Our Pastor, Scott Brown, said in a recent sermon: God is changing the world through ordinary people doing ordinary things with gospel intentionality.

Not all of us will be Tom of TOMS or the filmmakers at Invisible Children, but we can all do something. I am challenged by those embracing the children in the foster system. I am moved by the families enlarging through adoption. I am reminded to do what I can with this piece of time... to GO and love my neighbor AND to STAY and love my neighbor.

A few things I will take away from our first experiences on this new street (pictured above):

-D and two other doctors saw close to 100 patients in five hours.

-One mother had walked an hour with four children in tow just so her little 4 year-old boy with the heart defect could see a real pediatrician.

-I painted the nails and brushed the hair of the little girls waiting for their mothers and siblings. They were generous with smiles and were kind to just giggle at my Spanish.

-Each family received age appropriate vitamins for every member, soap, and bags of beans and rice. Their gratitude was humbling.

-We want to return to this place, to these people.

Yesterday I picked up Cd's to refresh our Spanish and a book of Spanish medical phrases... we'll see how much they help! I am starting to strategize and research how I can contribute by teaching about dental health. The plan is to make this our second street. We are checking our calendars and making wish lists of items to locate before our return.

Keep both our streets in your prayers. We are having AZ neighbors over for dinner next week! (I'm really hoping my excitement doesn't overwhelm them. For real.)

Ordinary people doing ordinary things...

Yes! We HAVE Always Been This Cool!

Mondays are always "Blast from the Past" days on the Facebook page I run for work. I find old photos from past decades and share them with our followers, always enjoying the crazy hairstyles and rather, uh... interesting facial hair. But why should they have all the fun?

Today, Blast from the Past happens here... MORBY STYLE.

First up, Ginger lookin' like a boss. Val lookin' like a veg (etable.)


Time for an afternoon of rollerblading with Uncle Ken. See? G's skillz with a pair of rollerblades go way back. My skillz with a dorky pink helmet ALSO have a history. (AND: the t-shirt tucked into the cotton shorts? Seriously- looking good, Morby.) (ALTHOUGH: Ginger's black shortalls are kind of giving me a run for my money.) (Let's be honest.) (On second look, no. No one looks worse than Val here.)


Sorry this picture is a little cut off, but it had to be shared. This was our Christmas card circa 1999, I believe. I remember selecting our clothes for the artistic comment of simplicity converging on to more complex patterns, in the form of solids followed by stripes followed by plaid. That's just the sort of intentional, creative statement my family is famous for making!*


Just after Ginger's performance in the Homecoming musical "Guys and Dolls" in 2003. This is back when my hair wanted to be Chloe Sullivan's hair. (It didn't really work.) It was all my hair's idea! On the right is Cousin Shanni, not a long-lost third Morby sister.

So I'm sorry, but no, this blog is not about to get more interesting with the addition of another sister. It's still just us.

*Not true but at all.

Spell real good.

There's a box that's been sitting in my basement since my parents brought all my treasures (trophies, papers, childhood pizazz) out to Arizona in August.

I've recently started letting myself comb through the contents of the purple plastic container. Today's selection is apparently circa 2nd grade, but I'm not going to let that orange marker actually tell me my spelling and handwriting were that bad in 2nd grade. Maybe this is the summer between 1st and 2nd grade. Regardless... I'm thankful for this informative Sunday School worksheet from Lutherans for Life.

Hi. I'm Ginger. I spell real good.

Please note that while my family is very fun and loving...

...they are also apparently mucicule (musical), inresponsibil (irresponsible?), lazzy (lazy), and yeilingly (YELLING!). This summary is amazing.

Now let's see how many words we can make from my name. O look. Robart, chilly and poon. That totally makes sense from the letters provided.

Let's take it a step further and meet my parents.

I like that my dad makes malts and is mucicle. But mom buys my favorite foods... sometimes.

Note that while I cannot spell, I am getting all the questions about Jesus correct. Yess.

Finally, let's talk about all the members of my family. Perhaps my brother wasn't old enough to actually be considered a member of the family. :)

Oh and also, I'm a really fast runner.

I'm Ginger. I spell real good.

Maybe This Christmas

I know this is a little out of date now, but I just wanted to share a few quick moments of my Christmas this year. If I didn't already physically come to you and tape your eyelids open and make you watch this video when it was posted on Facebook, here. Watch:



Merry Belated Christmas, Happy (Late) New Year, and hope you had a wonderful Monday! (At least that one's on time)