Introductions

I was on vacation last week.  I spent much of my time on TPP issues and sewing for the Holiday Craft sale.  One thing I have been doing is trying to learn more about the website and blog.  As have told the group, Laura and I have been working hard this summer on ways to streamline TPP operations.  With Laura starting back to school this week, and me working fulltime, we have to be as efficient as possible if we are going to be able to sustain the mission of The Preemie Project.  It could be a full time job for one person.  Despite being relatively ignorant about computers,  I have grown immensely in my abilities.  Look, I am blogging!  I wanted to introduce you to my oldest son, Greg, who has been very patient with me each step of the way.  Greg has worked hard with Jeff, our webmaster, to upgrade this website.  He has been instrumental in getting this blog going and also in implementing a number of the changes that Laura has been using such as the new format you are seeing for email notifications.  Laura had her first break from college classes in a year in a half.  She put her free time to good use working with her brother to develop ways to make us more efficient when she returned to nursing school this fall. There are a lot of changes behind the scenes that you will never see but will hopefully make our lives more organinzed.  Laura has taken Greg’s ideas and run with them..

Greg Aker lives in Columbia, Missouri where he works for the “We always Swing” Jazz Series.  Greg received his degree in Music Performance from the University of Northern Iowa.  He plays Saxophone for personal enjoyment and professionally in the Columbia/St. Louis area.  He has also gotten heavily involved in website design and has developed a hefty portfolio of websites he has designed, built and manages.  He is particularly proficient with the content management system, Expression Engine, and has just accepted a parttime position with them.  He setup The Preemie Project website using this system.  He particularly likes it because it enables the user to easily go in and make changes and additions as needed.  Now, I am very proud of the fact that I know what a “Content Management System” is.  I will admit, I had to have him tell me the words over the phone while I wrote it down.  But, I am very grateful to Greg for his patience with me and his willingness to teach me. 

Here is a picture of my eldest with his lovely fiance Katie Madden.    This picture was taken at his younger brother, Andrew’s wedding in December of last year.  Greg and Katie will be married this Saturday, Sept 13, 2008 in Columbia, Missouri.  Our family is very blessed that he has found someone that is so perfect for our him.  We look forward to having Katie in the family. 

While I am showing family pictures, here is a picture I took of Laura and Greg at their cousin’s wedding August 1, 2008. 

I really liked this picture of the two of them together.  Since they were mostly at each other’s throat growing up, my heart swells whenever I see a picture of them together as adults.  I am so proud of them both.

Thanks for putting up with this old mother.  Thank you Greg for all the help and ideas you have given us this summer.