tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505717644288311482024-03-18T22:53:22.029-05:00 Life as MommyShelle Embracing the life God has given us and making the most of it. MommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950571764428831148.post-23375938675349120082014-09-11T09:34:00.001-05:002014-09-11T09:34:43.511-05:0010 Years and Counting...10 Years ago today, J <strike>asked me on</strike> told me we were going on our first date.<br />
<br />
Now here's the back story for those of you who don't know it yet...<br />
<br />
August ??, 2004 I was hired by a bank in town (I had been working for another bank for 2 years in a nearby town) and a few days later I went to the local Wal-Mart branch of the new bank to open my account. The male teller (J) opened my account for me. Now, while there was nothing overly special about this guy as far as appearance goes (a bit too skinny for my usual liking), he was nice.<br />
The following week, I started my new job and resumed night classes at the local university. J was in a couple of my classes, as we were both Business Management majors. He tried showing off a few times of the next couple of weeks, but I didn't pay him much attention. But our co-worker Amy had different ideas...she thought J needed a date and the new girl at work seemed like just the right girl. <br />
<br />
So she fired up her matchmaking skills, and on Saturday, September 11, 2004, while we were working a shift together at the bank, J <strike>gained up some nerve</strike> was told to just take a risk and ask me out. So while I was at lunch, he left a note on my computer that read; "We are going to that concert together tonight." (I already had plans to take myself to a close by town for a southern gospel concert of a group that I loved)<br />
When I got back from lunch, he was already gone and taking his own lunch break, I found the note and started laughing. Amy chuckled too and we decided a date with J would be just what I needed. <br />
<br />
After work, we each went home, changed and he picked me up. We attended the concert (he sang to me while we were there), ate dinner and then spent the rest of the night (until about 1:00 AM) talking about just about everything. Over the next few days, we saw each other as often as possible with church, work and school....<br />
<br />
Fast forward 5 days (yes, you are reading this correctly) and J called me before work. We were scheduled for the same shift at the same branch that day and he was going to stop by my apartment and pick me up for work. Well, what happened next was the real surprise...when he got to my place, he PURPOSED!!! He had went and bought the ring that morning and decided I was the one...and more surprisingly, I said yes!<br />
Now, I should mention here, that only a few people even knew we were dating and we hadn't really told people from work; but that all changed very quickly on that Thursday morning!<br />
<br />
His parents thought he was crazy and hung up on him. My mom laughed and my dad told me to make sure I didn't start making him doubt my judgment over this. (My parents are clearly the laid back ones here) We met my mom and sister for dinner that night and picked a date, June 11, 2005. My mom informed she was NOT paying for Tulips in June (and since she owned a flower shop and was clearly paying for and designing the flowers, I had to listen) so we picked a new date, March 12, 2005. (J was mortified that I moved the wedding date for a<strong> flower</strong>. He clearly had NO idea just how stubborn I could be and clearly didn't realize the extent of which I had dreamed of tulips for my wedding and just how much I basically detest roses for myself (not as a flower in general).)<br />
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March 12, 2005 rolled around, we got married and then we started our Happily Ever After.......<br />
<br />
9 1/2 Years of marriage later and we have accomplished and been through so much together. <br />
<br />
Would I have liked a lot of it to have been easier...Yes<br />
Would I go back and change any of it...No<br />
It has been hard, trying, scary, and down right horrible at times, but the bad has never out weighed the good and with our continued faith that God will take care of everything; we will make it 10 more. <br />
<br />
Happy First Date-aversary J. I love you!!!<br />
<br />
MommyShelle <br />
MommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950571764428831148.post-18973444727961427282014-08-05T12:00:00.001-05:002014-08-05T12:00:36.383-05:00The Great DebateToday, in Missouri, is the August Primary election; did you vote?<br />
<br />
I did and I proud to say that I did.<br />
<br />
We had several issues on the ballot that I had to do some studying on, but I figured out the wording enough to know which way I wanted to vote on the issues at hand. <br />
<br />
We had a couple of big county seats available and we will see if the old stays around or if its an "in with the new" kind of election. <br />
<br />
Do you regularly vote? Are you even registered?<br />
<br />
If not, I'd like to tell you why you should...<br />
<br />
Its one of the freedoms that was fought for and won. And as women, we had to fight harder to win this freedom. It should be considered an honor. <br />
<br />
You get the opportunity to make a difference on issues that mean something to you. <br />
<br />
You help decide who runs your city/ county/ state/ country.<br />
<br />
And lastly; your vote entitles you to an opinion on all of the above mentioned items. Your lack of voting (by blatant choice) gives you the right to keep those opinions to yourself. <br />
<br />
Soapbox over.<br />
<br />
Hope you all are enjoying your last days of summer before school starts back.<br />
<br />
MommyShelle C<br />
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MommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950571764428831148.post-31184067351246584942014-07-24T21:50:00.000-05:002014-07-24T21:50:31.808-05:00The Great Downhill Slide20 days until school starts back...<br />
<br />
That leaves 20 days to get all of the school supplies bought (I have a cheat on this: my mom buys the basics and I take care of the stuff they actually care about)<br />
<br />
That leaves 20 days to get hair cuts, a few new clothes and shoes purchased and my mind wrapped around both boys going to school everyday<br />
<br />
That leaves 20 days for me to cram in a few more trips to the park for picnics and playtime, at least one more trip to the local State Park for fish feeding and hopefully a couple of good day trips<br />
<br />
That leaves 5 more days until our friends say good-bye and move to Kentucky<br />
<br />
That left tonight for the last night of our VBS for the summer. We have an ice cream/ movie night tomorrow and that will be interesting to say the least.....<br />
<br />
And all of this has left me to wonder (for the last couple of days); what am I going to do with all my time this school year??<br />
<br />
I am going to miss lunches with L when he insists on PB&J and orange slices everyday.<br />
I am going to miss my baby snuggles and a built in reason to take a nap most days.<br />
I am going to miss L looking up at me and saying; "Mommy, will you sweep wiff me for all the minutes of my nap?" "Mommy, will you rub my eyes/ back?" "Mommy, please hold me while I fall asweep." <br />
I am going to miss his enthusiasm for helping me clean the house.<br />
I am going to miss the trips to the library for story time. <br />
I am going to miss my babies!!<br />
<br />
Ok, enough emotional non-sense for today.<br />
MommyShelle<br />
<br />
<br />
MommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950571764428831148.post-90930296133626150532014-07-07T13:22:00.001-05:002014-07-07T13:22:23.005-05:00NoisesChildren<br />
<br />
They are cute, they are *always* hungry and they make LOTS of noise!<br />
<br />
This summer has been filled with the following noises:<br />
I'm hungry<br />
I'm thirsty<br />
I'm tired<br />
I'm not tired<br />
I need to go potty<br />
Can I pee in the corner? (boys love to pee outside and they are supposed to 'hide' in the corner of the yard to do it)<br />
I want to go outside<br />
It's hot outside<br />
There are bugs out here<br />
He won't leave me alone<br />
He won't let me sleep<br />
He ate my _______<br />
HE took my ________<br />
He hit/bit/pinched/stepped on me<br />
Is today my baseball practice/ game?<br />
Can you rub my back?<br />
Can you rub my eyes?<br />
Can you tuck me in?<br />
I didn't get a kiss and a hug<br />
<br />
And so on...<br />
<br />
Today, L started whining about his lack of snack having abilities (he had just finished breakfast 15 minutes before this) so I made a decision; I whined back at him. Every time he made a whining sound, I made one back at him. He DID NOT find this amusing! He got mad at me, but the whining stopped. Point made!!!<br />
<br />
In other news:<br />
I am slowly getting more of our boxes/stuff unpacked. I know we've lived here for almost 5 months, but I'm a procrastinator. I am also a bit of a <strike>pack rat</strike> collector of stuff. There <strike>might or might not be</strike> are some boxes in my garage that are still packed just like they were 5 years ago when we moved to our last house. <br />
I'm not proud, but it's the truth. I am working on the problem, but as with any good 12 step program; admission is the 1st step. <br />
<br />
Summer baseball/ T-ball is coming to an end. I am going to watch L's T-ball games tonight; it's the first time all summer I have been to one of his games. Typically I work on Monday nights, but I switched with Boss Man so I could get to at least one game since it's his first year playing. He has a double-header tonight, so it's a 2-for-1 deal. Next week is his last game. B has 2 games this week to make up for a couple of rain-outs and then his season is over as well. <br />
<br />
I scored some good deals on some clothes for both boys the other day at the local Gap Outlet. I do LOVE that place. And its one of the few places I can find jeans for B. He is so skinny and long legged that its hard. Most jeans for children are boxy and when the adjustable waist is pulled in as far as he needs it pulled in, the jeans bunch in the butt and at the crotch. Not Gap jeans! They have a good shape to begin with, so no bunching. And to find a 7Slim, skinny cut - near to impossible! I found 2 on sale. Yay me!!!<br />
So that means, back-to-school shopping has officially started. The boys are excited to get pick out their new school supplies and some new shoes. <br />
And we got to find out who their teachers are for this year. We got a top-pick for B and L got a good one too. Hopefully we have a great year with both of the boys. <br />
<br />
We had a great 4th of July. The boys stayed with J's parents for the night and we went out to dinner and fireworks with some friends. We did this last year as well. I think it needs to become out new annual summer tradition. <br />
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Last weekend, we had a good-bye BBQ for our friends that are moving to KY for his job. They leave in about 2 weeks and I get sad just thinking about it. So I try not too...<br />
The kids had a blast playing in the sprinkler and on the slip-and-slide while all of adults enjoyed getting some time to just sit around a chat. <br />
<br />
Well, I think pretty much catches up the last few weeks.<br />
So until next time,<br />
MommyShelle<br />
<br />
<br />
MommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950571764428831148.post-89406924025876758582014-06-24T00:12:00.004-05:002014-06-24T00:12:42.061-05:00Taking The Ordinary out of Extraordinary...**Warning-this is my attempt at being Philosophical <br />
<br />
Have you ever thought about...<br />
Ordinary: to be regular, normal, run of the mill (my definition)<br />
Extra: more, plus some, to be in excess of (again, my own definition) <br />
<br />
Extraordinary: to most people and common acceptances of this word; it is said to be great, extravagant or super-duper. <br />
<br />
Does that even make sense? To be more normal? To be in excess of regular-ness?<br />
<br />
I for one want to take the ordinary out and start living more EXTRA!<br />
<br />
For the last 10 months, I have been <strike>anticipating</strike> trying not to think about one of my dearest friends moving out of state (in 4 weeks). Her little family of 5 is moving 9 hours away to pursue an incredible new opportunity. <br />
So...to make life with more EXTRA, we are cramming as much time together in this summer as possible. We have celebrated her birthday, I have kept her kids for a day, she is keeping ours a couple of times, we are having a good-bye BBQ (lots of kids, food and slip-n-slide fun) and we are planning a couple more girls night dinners and shopping days. <br />
And to add to the EXTRA, her new geographical location will become a new, fun place to visit and vacation with the kiddos for spring breaks and summer weekends. <br />
<br />
EXTRA: we had new family pictures taken and the pictures of the boys are incredible. I love our photographer and the job she does. Her country farm setting (and I ordered way too many pictures but I can't help it) is blending beautifully with my new and old decorating style I am trying out in the new house. <br />
*The friend from above helped me plan my entire picture wall, Pinterest style, and once the pictures I ordered come in and the wall is complete, I will post some pictures on here. <br />
<br />
EXTRA: J and I took a mini-vacation and couple of weeks ago and went out of town for a couple of nights. We didn't go far or do anything overly great, but we enjoyed a couple of nights with no kids. I did <strike>convince</strike> beg J to go zip-lining with me and he gave in, once. It was not the normal harness style, but more of a ski lift chair that took us up the hill backwards and then rushed us back to the starting point at somewhere around 43 MPH. It was a blast and I did another 2 times without J. Each ride only took about 50 seconds (I recorded it once on my phone, while clutching my iPhone with a death grip so I wouldn't drop it in the lake I was flying over). <br />
<br />
EXTRA: J and I will also get one more kid free night this summer; July 4th. We are going with some friends of ours to a nice dinner at a resort in a near-by town and then staying to watch the spectacular fireworks display. Of course, there will be outlet shopping before dinner!<br />
<br />
EXTRA: I am going to make myself enjoy the next 8 weeks until school starts back. I am going to be less harsh and ridged. I am going to loosen up and have some fun with these boys. I am going to be okay with a house that <strike>isn't always</strike> is almost never a clean I am happy with. I am going to finish decorating my house (I know we have lived here 4 months and that I have only hung pictures in the last 4 days). I am going to spend far more time thanking God for all the little blessing in life. I am going to continue to love my job and try to be less high-strung about the little things at work that irritate me. And finally, I am going to love my husband more deeply and less critically.<br />
<br />
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Its all these EXTRAs in life that I am going to use to make life more and in excess and far less ordinary. <br />
<br />
Being less ordinary,<br />
MommyShelle<br />
<br />
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MommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950571764428831148.post-72787729177990870202014-05-22T22:50:00.004-05:002014-05-22T22:53:43.503-05:00Summer Time, Summer Time, Sum Sum Summer TimeAsk anyone who knows me well, and they'll tell you...I love music and can break out in a bit of a song at anytime and for all sorts of reasons. <br />
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Today's songs would have included "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" and a made up song about how much I love the new wedges I just bought. <br />
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They are Gianni Bini, brown, tall and lovely. <br />
<br />
B had his first baseball game of the summer tonight. <br />
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13 boys between the ages of 6 & 8, many very loud parents/ grandparents and a coaches wife who doesn't know how to properly run a batting order; all made for an interesting ballgame. B loves baseball and the idea of playing baseball, but not so much the actual playing and paying attention to the game. In the last inning, he was far more interested in sitting in the grass in his Left Field position.<br />
<br />
Oh well, he also loves to sing and listen to music. He will probably end up my band/ choir kid. And that's cool. He comes from a long line of beautiful singers and band geeks. <br />
<br />
L has learned to ride a big kid bike in the last couple of weeks and every chance he gets is spent riding <strike>his </strike>B's bike in the driveway and garage. I am so proud of him, despite the fact its a little sad that he's growing up so fast. <br />
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Once August gets here and both boys are in school (B in 1st grade and L in pre-K) I'll be singing a new song; "All By Myself."<br />
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The new house has 3 rose bushes that came with it. I don't really like roses as a general rule, but I am so excited that they have bloomed, that I can't help but love them. <br />
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L got several bubbles for his birthday. We spent quite a while one morning playing with a bubble blower he received. I was able to catch a couple of really cool shots. <br />
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B has 1 1/2 days of school left before summer break. Yes, that means he has to go back to school for 1/2 a day on Tuesday; after a 3 day weekend. Kind of silly but in MO, the winter weather usually causes some make-up day requirements. <br />
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Here a few of the pictures I promised the other day: <br />
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My younger sister (Aunt T), our mom, Tanner (the puppy) and myself</div>
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First picture of the 3 of us in a few years</div>
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Mother's Day</div>
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Food art at work</div>
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Tulips are my VERY favorite flower and this is one that came with the new house</div>
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L's birthday breakfast at the restaurant</div>
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J's grandpa turned 92 on the day of L's party, so I made each of them blow out candles. This will be one of those pictures that I treasure for a lifetime!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1KXg-SJZSTs_wsYJGIj5Aj6K0O9yyVTlAThZ91UT5UZGGXP5YSH3AUlwm8FBp7p6SeDovjV9EGDZ1YJnR2EXVqebRaW7TKJL8ygSByBC981anuKIrtEsSklTzn7ks5TacmdI1ZyhUPRk/s1600/IMG_5508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1KXg-SJZSTs_wsYJGIj5Aj6K0O9yyVTlAThZ91UT5UZGGXP5YSH3AUlwm8FBp7p6SeDovjV9EGDZ1YJnR2EXVqebRaW7TKJL8ygSByBC981anuKIrtEsSklTzn7ks5TacmdI1ZyhUPRk/s1600/IMG_5508.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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L, B and K digging into a 'Pazookie" in Oklahoma City when we all went outlet shopping</div>
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Family time is rare these days, but sometimes we all pile into our bed, laugh, snuggle and pose for awkward selfies. </div>
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Rare moments of brotherly love are worth catching on camera</div>
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These 2 beautiful girls took me to dinner to commemorate my 30th birthday.</div>
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We had steak!</div>
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We ended up with some free birthday cake!</div>
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I am NOT embarrassed about the cake, but slightly embarrassed about how we came about getting the cake. </div>
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It was FREE. From the table next to us. Another girls was having a birthday too. </div>
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They offered us all some cake and we decided to go for it.</div>
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The cake was fabulous! And totally worth it. And it makes for a great conversation. </div>
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Red Velvet Cake</div>
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My Favorite (so I didn't have to bake my own)</div>
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Made by a friend (so I </div>
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The frosting was TO DIE FOR!!</div>
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The New House</div>
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We only moved about a block and a half from the old house (2 streets over to be exact)</div>
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A lady at worked teased that she wanted a picture of me moving stuff down the street.</div>
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J ended up rolling the dumpster to the new house the morning of the closing</div>
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Hope you enjoyed the picture filled journey,</div>
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MommyShelle</div>
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MommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950571764428831148.post-85585205954331097212014-05-19T12:24:00.002-05:002014-05-19T12:24:49.000-05:00Alas, We Meet Again!So it has been awhile, so let me catch you up quickly:<br />
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Made an offer on a house, it got accepted, we went under contract.<br />
J got another year older.<br />
I got to buy a brand new refrigerator and washer and dryer set. <br />
We had a very handy moving crew of friends and Boss Man that got us moved quickly.<br />
My mom paid us a visit and measured all of our windows for curtains. <br />
We celebrated my 30th birthday in the new house and a dear friend made me a Red Velvet cake, so I wouldn't have to bake my own birthday cake. <br />
B and L are both playing baseball/ T-ball.<br />
L turned 4.<br />
We had the first big birthday party in the new house and my dad and sister finally got to visit and see the house. <br />
B <strike>graduated</strike> "Bloomed" from Kindergarten. <br />
L was screened for and accepted into the schools pre-K program. <br />
J has to do most of the running for the boys' ball practices (in the evenings while I'm at work) and is getting a taste of what all I do in a days time. <br />
I have had several cupcake orders and they keep on coming in. <br />
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That has been life, in a large nutshell, for the last 4 months. <br />
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I will try to get some new pictures loaded soon and some pictures of the new house as well. <br />
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Until Next Time, <br />
MommyShelle<br />
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MommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950571764428831148.post-67653562829844144522014-01-17T09:46:00.000-06:002014-01-17T09:46:39.462-06:00Selling, Buying and CryingThe art of selling a house, as we have learned over the last 12 month months, is just that; an art form.<br />
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We have a smaller home of 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, updated eat-in kitchen, 1 car garage and full basement home with all original hardwood floors. It is not a large home but it has served its duties of raising 2 small boys up to this point. When we moved into this house, we only had 1 child and he was just 18 months old. Four months later we found out child #2 was on the way and 1161 sq. foot never seemed so small. Nevertheless, we have lived in and loved on this house for almost 5 years, <br />
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So last January when we decided to list our house 'For Sale', we never imagined what it was going to entail. <br />
-Last minute scrambles to clean-up so they could show the house<br />
-24 hour clean-ups so they could show the house<br />
-A few, we're out of town and I hope it looks ok, clean-ups so they could show the house<br />
See a trend yet....<br />
And so did we, for about 30 house showings. In our small town, that's a LOT of showings for one property. We were happy it was popular....but SELL it already!<br />
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(We had a couple of offers, but they were ridiculous and no I am NOT paying to remodel the house for YOU!!)<br />
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Then, the Wednesday before Christmas, the house was shown again. I had no hopes due to the fact we only had 4 weeks left of our listing contract and we were about to just un-list it for awhile and try again later. The cute young couple and their adorable baby boy toured the house, asked a few questions, analyzed the yard for quite awhile and then went of their merry way. <br />
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The next day, we got an offer. An incredible offer. We countered back and within an hour, we were under contract. <br />
YIKES!<br />
We had stopped the house search in early Fall and hadn't really expected much to happen. We wrote in an extended closing to allow for us to find a house....and that's where the crying comes in. <br />
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My criteria:<br />
Decent sized, working kitchen<br />
Larger home<br />
2 bathrooms (mommy is tired of 1 bathroom and 3 boys in her house)<br />
3+ bedrooms<br />
Fenced-in yard<br />
Laundry room<br />
J wants a coat closet and carpet (I love my hardwoods so we will compromise probably)<br />
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We have a very limited house buying budget, but I did not expect it to be impossible. But apparently; it is. We have looked at close to 20 homes and only a few met our guidelines. Most of those were over budget. Then, one day, we found it. It needed a small amount of love in the kitchen, but it was a project and I saw it as a good chance to design my dream kitchen at some point in the future. We will call this: The Yellow Kitchen House.<br />
<br />
Now to back up a few months, we looked at a house in May that we loved and could've been our forever house, had it NOT been $60,000 over budget. It needed a lot of work. But we could've over time if we could get it for the right price. We call it: The Unicorn & Rainbow house.<br />
(Explanation: The 3rd bedroom of this house had blue wallpaper with Glow-in-the-dark constellations on it and this really bright Unicorn & Rainbow border. I will have to post a picture of it someday. My friend, Aunt B, made up a song about it and would sing it to me every time I got discouraged about our house hunt.) <br />
<br />
Back to last week:<br />
We put in an offer on the yellow kitchen house and we got countered, but accepted the terms. Then it was inspection time...not as pretty as the 70's yellow tiled kitchen. We walked away thinking it was not going to happen.<br />
The same time as we decided it wasn't worth it, the unicorn house came back on the market. It was in our price range (got foreclosed on) and we decided it was worth a shot to get our forever house. It wasn't! The inspections on it were even worse and it was going to be a money pit! So again, we walked away. <br />
<br />
Finally, we decided that the yellow kitchen house is where we were truly meant to be. So we addressed the inspection issues found: and now we wait....and wait...and we are still waiting as of this morning to see if they are going to fix the problems. <br />
<br />
I have shed a LOT of tears and said many prayers over the adventure....and I will continue to pray Gods will for us in this situation. But is hard; knowing that in 36 short days...we are homeless. <br />
<br />
Until we know for sure,<br />
MommyShelle MommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950571764428831148.post-43441513585010751382013-09-18T14:09:00.000-05:002013-09-18T14:09:16.961-05:00I'm Back and what a ride it has been...So it has been almost 15 months since I last posted anything and it has been a very eventful 15 months. <br />
<br />
Here goes (and it is very long!!):<br />
<br />
In August 2012, I received word that the two sisters I had been keeping were no longer going to be in my care due to travel expenses for mommy and daddy. I was distraught over this, (BP had been in my care since she was 10 weeks old) but I thought all would be okay. Less than a week later, the other little girl was leaving too. Oh wow!!! What were we going to do??<br />
<br />
So, I decided it was a sign from up above that my <strike>wonderful</strike> insane adventure of in-home daycare provider was over. So, after much prayer again on where to go from here, I started a part-time job hunt. We knew how much I HAD to make each week in order for the bills to get paid and the kids to be fed, so we figured on 3-5 nights a week should do the trick. <br />
<br />
I put in applications all over town one Sunday afternoon in September and on Monday morning, got a call from the owner of a local restaurant. I had applied for a server position. They only needed part-time help a couple nights a week and that's what I wanted, so it was going to work well for all parties involved. We set up an interview for Thursday afternoon. (Bless the poor guy, he worked with my insane <strike>schedule</strike> demands on what time I could be there.)<br />
<br />
Now as many of you know, on an application, they ask for a list of references...keep in mind that I had 3 VERY good references <u>listed</u>. I went in for the interview, all went well and as we were standing up at the end, he said, "I think I will give Big Man (my boss from my previous banking job that I did NOT have listed on the application, but whom he knew really well) a call tomorrow and see what he has to say about you." <br />
<br />
Holy Crap Batman!!! I did not expect that and did <strike>my very best</strike> a lousy job of hiding the terror in my eyes and on my face. I had no fears that he was going to say bad things, fore I left the job on good terms and feel as though I was an asset to the bank for my 7 years with them. My fear, was that Big Man would not really know what to say, because we usually did not work directly with each other. <br />
<br />
But alas, interview guy call Big Man and he gave me a raving review and even recommended me for something better down the line of interview man decided the business needed it. <br />
<br />
Friday afternoon I got the call that I could start ASAP and was Saturday at 2:00 too soon? Nope! (Please keep in mind that I interviewed for 3 days a week and very quickly ended up at 5 days a week due to a sudden turn-over in staff)<br />
I learned quickly and was turned out on the floor to fly solo very soon after starting. I immediately loved the restaurant, most of the staff and the customers. I knew several from my years at the bank and from church. Many knew me, because J knows everyone, therefore they think they know me. <br />
<br />
Fast forward to February...I had put in an application with a bank in Tulsa sometime in January or so and they called me for an interview. So I set up the interview, informed interview guy (from here on out known as Boss Man or Uncle R) that I needed the day off. I traveled to Tulsa, did the interview and left feeling odd. I did not have a good feeling that I would get the job, but I felt more at ease with my current job and realized that I actually really liked it. I met my dad for dinner before leaving town and was back home by bedtime. <br />
<br />
Little did I know that Boss Man and his wife (known as Boss Lady or Aunt B) were super excited that I didn't get the job; fore they had much better ideas in mind. You see, right before I started, they lost a manger and started training a new part-time manger for a couple of morning shifts a week. Well, I entered the picture and they started toying with the idea of a second part-time manger for a couple of nights a week. Guess who they chose...you got it, me. <br />
<br />
So in late March or early April I started training to do all the managing stuff I would need to know and now I manage the restaurant two nights a week and serve three nights. All in all, I love my job and it is some form of using that Business Management degree I spent 4 1/2 years earning and am currently paying for. <br />
<br />
<br />
B turned 5 last fall, L was 3 in the spring, I hit the last year of my 20's and J keeps losing his hair. Fairly normal for all of us. J's Grandpa had a heart attack on Easter Sunday and a stroke a month or so later. He is doing well and stays active and in fairly goof health for a 91 year old man. My grandma turned 95 this summer. She might just be the cutest grandma ever!!! Well late this summer, 31 years and 1 day after her husband passed away, she did too. She lived a very full 95 years of life and she will be remembered for a very long time. She was loved by not only her family but by many friends and an entire community. <br />
<br />
In early summer, J and I traveled to Denver (kids free) for the wedding of close friend of his. A & M got married in a beautiful ceremony and left for a week long honeymoon to an island I will really probably only ever dream about. We had several days of just us and we had a great time. We did not get to do much, but it was nice to get away. It was the first time flying for both of us, and what an experience it was. I loved it and can't wait until next time...<br />
<br />
B started Kindergarten last month and L had the hardest time seeing him go. B is L's best friend and playmate so L had a rough first week of school with no B to play with. After a month now, he has adjusted and we have special time for just us and library dates to keep his mind from getting too lonely. <br />
<br />
With the back-to-school thing came the potty training thing. L is going on 3 1/2 and still didn't use the potty very well. That changed quickly. On the first day of school is when my grandma passed away, so J and I went out of state for the funeral and left the kids here. B stayed with Granny and Pa so he could get back and forth to school. L stayed with a good friend of ours. She has 3 kids of her own and was more than willing to take on a 4th for a few days. Well, while L was at her house, there was an incident. She had to scold him for the results of said incident, and he really felt bad. He came home and within a week, was using the potty with regularity. Now we still have some accidents, but we are mostly done!!!<br />
<br />
My side of the family got a new member this summer, Little A. He is an adorable little boy and is sure to keep things interesting now with 4 grand kids running around for Grandma and Grandpa. His big sister, K, loves him to pieces and is a big help to mommy at 6 years old. <br />
<br />
And finally, we put our house on the market right after the new year. We had had all the interior walls and ceilings painted last fall and all new light fixtures installed. So we took the next step; listing the house For Sale. We have not sold it yet, but we are praying it will happen soon. This mommy <strike>wants</strike> needs a house with two bathrooms. We show it a lot thus resulting in it staying much cleaner on a regular basis, but no luck so far...<br />
<br />
Now back to Boss Man and Lady: they have become fast friends of mine and J is starting to warm up to them. We went to dinner (no kids) with them on the 4th of July and we had a good time. We were worried that J and Uncle R would have little to talk about, being as J loves sports and music and Uncle R likes guns and cars. Uncle R also likes music, but not even close to the same type of stuff we listen to. Aunt B and I love to go shopping and she has even watched the kids a few times for us when I need to work on a normal day off and have no other daycare options. The kids lover her and that is how they are now known as Uncle R and Aunt B. They also have 2 kids, but they are older and in college, B & L are like nephews. They also have dogs that L loves to pieces and scare the poop out of B. I don't think B is EVER going to be an animal guy. <br />
<br />
So, in a (very large) nutshell, that is what has been going on the last 15 months. Sorry the post was so long, but I feel it was all important (to me). <br />
<br />
Until next time...<br />
MommyShelle CMommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950571764428831148.post-41932712486167606512012-06-30T22:03:00.002-05:002012-06-30T22:04:26.226-05:00Vacation. Perfect!<v:rect fillcolor="white [7]" filled="f" id="_x0000_s1025" insetpen="t" o:cliptowrap="t" o:preferrelative="t" strokecolor="#c00000 [1 darken(192)]" strokeweight=".5pt" style="height: 196.43pt; left: 278.81pt; mso-wrap-distance-bottom: 2.88pt; mso-wrap-distance-left: 2.88pt; mso-wrap-distance-right: 2.88pt; mso-wrap-distance-top: 2.88pt; position: absolute; top: 69.89pt; width: 261.9pt; z-index: 1;">
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o, we have been back for a few weeks now, but life has been crazy. <br />
<br />
We went to Orange Beach, Alabama on vacation for 4 days and it was amazing. We went with another couple and their 2 kids (8 so far) and her 3 nieces (yes that is 11 total people). <br />
<br />
We came back as friends. <br />
<br />
We will go on vacation by ourselves next time.<br />
<br />
Not because we don't still like them, but because we just think it will be easier that way. <br />
<br />
Day 1: after many, many hours in the van, we made it! We stopped in Gulf Shores and ate lunch. I had a soft shell crab po' boy sandwich and it was delicious!!!<br />
We then went on to Orange Beach, found our condo, and immediately unpacked and went to the beach. Our condo was on the beach, so it was fantastic. To round out the evening, we ate sandwiches for supper and went to find ice cream. Found it, ate it and went back to the same place 2 more times before we left 4 days later. <br />
<br />
Day 2: It was a day of shopping, naps, beach time and a Dolphin Cruise. I highly recommend this experience! We had a great time, saw several dolphins and enjoyed watching the sunset from on the ocean. BEAUTIFUL!!!<br />
<br />
Day 3: Alligators. Everywhere. over 200 of them. This was much more fun than we had expected it to be (the other family really wanted to go, so we tagged along). . The big boys took the little boys to play putt-putt and the big girls took all of the little girls and L to the beach. <br />
<br />
Day 4: We traveled about 12 miles to the West and landed in Pensecola at 7:45 AM to watch the Blue Angels. Best show ever! It was worth getting 11 cranky people out of bed and fed at 6:00 AM to go see. Then while on the Naval Base, we went to the <a href="http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/" target="_blank">National Aviation Museum</a>. It was very educational and as a lover of educational places to visit; I give it 5 stars. You must go check it out when visiting. <br />
And while on the beach collecting shells and looking for crabs (didn't find any crabs) the night before, a local informed us that Destin was only about 40 miles from Orange Beach and we should go check it out if we had time. She claimed it had the most beautiful beaches in the US. I DO NOT recommend this if you have a large number of people or if you are accustomed to traveling 40 miles in less than 2 hours. YIKES! It was 40 miles of moderate city traffic in the middle of no where. Basically! It was cloudy and storms moving in by the time we got there and the watr in the Gulf was so heavy, it was dangerous to be in. We crossed the highway and played in an inlet for a bit, but then turned around and spent 2 hours driving back to Orange Beach. We decided (in our humble hillbilly opinions) that it wasn't worth the drive. <br />
We finished off our night with doing large amounts of laundry and packing. <br />
<br />
Day 5: We were on the road again, headed for home. It took us only 14 hours to get home and that included a 1 1/2 hour stop for lunch and several pit stops (as you can imagine with 11 people in your party).<br />
<br />
All in all we had a blast and can't wait for the next vacation!<br />
<br />
Still the whitest Beach Bunny EVER,<br />
MommyShelle CMommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950571764428831148.post-16694131463589989212012-05-30T12:48:00.001-05:002012-05-30T12:48:58.391-05:00Cards By: MommyShelleSo for a couple of months now, I have been exploring a new area of the crafting world; card making. <br />
**I have changed my title to show a few of my favorite cards I have made.**<br />
<br />
I started by making one for a wedding shower, then made some for graduations and then got an order for a Mother's Day card. I have an order for next month for a Star Wars card, but since I do NOT anything about Star Wars except what Darth Vader and Yoda look like, it has taken some time to get going on. <br />
<br />
I think I am going to give this card making a real shot and try to make a small (very small at the moment) side business out of it. It feeds my love of crafting and being creative, but doesn't take up as much time at one time as scrapbooking does.<br />
<br />
If you are interested in having a card made, but leave me a message or contact me and let me know. <br />
<br />
Also, in 2 days and 6 hours (approximately) we are leaving on our very first vacation. We are headed to Orange Beach, AL for a few days. It is sure to be an exciting and interesting time. <br />
I will post pictures and vacation experiences when I get back. <br />
<br />
Head on over to Travel Chatter (<a href="http://www.travelchatter.biz/">www.travelchatter.biz</a>) and check out some fun and exciting travel news from a dear friend of mine. She has been everywhere and blogs about it just to kill some time. <br />
<br />
Talk to you after my sunburn arrives,<br />
MommyShelle CMommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950571764428831148.post-80485417770939991082012-05-08T22:04:00.001-05:002012-05-08T22:04:46.213-05:00WOW, It's been awhileAlmost 2 months has gone by and I have to say it feels like so much has happened since then. <br />
<br />
End of March: We went to Tulsa for a weekend to see my parents, sister and niece. It was my niece's 5th birthday and we headed to a local pizza/ arcade joint to have a birthday bash for her. K is getting so big. Hard to believe that she was born just 3 weeks after finding out I was pregnant with B. My sister and I (she still lived in my town at that time) enjoyed many twist cones from DQ for lunch in that 3 weeks. That means in just a few months, I too, will have a 5 year old in my house. <br />
<br />
Mid-April: Went back to Tulsa, just me and B, to see my mom. She had to have a histerectomy done and we went to make sure she was doing alright and to help clean a bit of house. She was fine, up and moving well just 2 days after surgery and trying to exert herself too fast, but that is my mom and I love her. <br />
Because of her doing so well so soon, I got to spend some quality time shopping and yard saling all weekend with my sister. She is 3 years younger and had just celebrated a birthday the week before, so we took each other, along with K & B, out to lunch for our birthdays. They are only a month and 6 days apart. <br />
B and I did have to hightail it back home Sunday afternoon for a surprise 50th birthday party after church for our preacher. He is an awesome Godly man that preaches the word the way it was written and the way it is meant to be preached. Thanks Mike for all you do!!!<br />
<br />
End of April: L turned 2! YIKES!<br />
We had a monster themed party and I made and awfully cute cake (will post pics later) with a caterpillar guy acting as the #2. My mom was able to make the trip up with dad for the party (only a week and a half after her surgery) and we had a blast. J and I got him a HD tri-cycle and B gave him a giant bouncy ball. L loves to play ball, so that was one of his favorite gifts. <br />
<br />
Mizzou had a 5 town "Barnstorming" game tour and Lebanon happened upon the map. We got tickets to go and we had a great time. The boys loved watching the ball bounce back and forth and fly through the air and J and I just loved being out of the house doing something other than eating chicken nuggets. At the end of the game, most of the Mizzou players took of their jersey tops and threw them to the crowd. I caught one!!! I am not sure who the guy was, but it was still pretty cool. Altough, in the moment, you don't stop to think about how gross it is going to be to catch a sweaty basketball shirt in mid-air as it splatters sweat across your face. (godd mental picture, huh?!)<br />
J is an avid OU (boomer Sooners) fan, so we decided to give it to a kid from church who would actually appreciate it. He offered to pay us for it, but it was worth even more to see the face of a young boy light up. His older brothewr was super excited too.<br />
<br />
The first week of May: J's Papa celebrated his 90th birthday and we had a huge party for him on Saturday. All 3 kids, some grand kids and 2 great grand kids (mine) were in attendance as well as many friends and church family. He had a good time, but it was his first birthday without nanny by his side, so it made it really tough. Even tougher that a couple weeks from now will be a year without her. We all miss you Nanny!!!<br />
J's dad did arrange a neighbor of Pap's to give him a ride in a 1916 Ford. It was cool to see Papa riding in a car that was in fact 6 years older than him. <br />
<br />
This week, sometime, I will become an Aunt again. This time, to another niece. J's family has 5 grandkids and they are all boys. Poor Granny had twin boys and now 5 more boys. This little girl is going to be spoiled rotten. Aunt Shelle is going to do her best in making that happen. <br />
<br />
In other news: I have been making homemade cards lately and love it. I have decided to sell some if anyone is interested and will be doing custum orders. You can find pictures on Instagram at <span style="color: #741b47;">#cardsbymommyshelle</span>. I will try to post some pictures on here later. <br />
<br />
Thats all I have for now, so until next time,<br />
MommyShelle C<br />
<br />MommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950571764428831148.post-59680877147994525852012-03-19T21:04:00.000-05:002012-03-19T21:04:21.977-05:00Creativity At WorkThe last time I posted, I mentioned that I was going to Scrapbook Weekend. Well in 24 hours, I got 32 pages done (16 double page spreads). I worked my tail off and got very little sleep. It made me motivated to keep going once I got home and have gotten close to 20 more pages done since. B is finally 2 in his scrapbook and he is 4 1/2 in actual age. The good news is that L is on his way and I will be getting to start his scrapbook soon. He will be 2 in just over a month. <br />
<br />
I have been bust making cakes and cards as well. Here is a card I made tonight:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rtWGXf9txeE/T2fjXOs2wuI/AAAAAAAAAGU/f9yfFJXJZac/s1600/DSC03483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rtWGXf9txeE/T2fjXOs2wuI/AAAAAAAAAGU/f9yfFJXJZac/s320/DSC03483.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I have been staying busy with all of the kids in my house, so I haven't been getting to cook and bake as much as I like to, but I did make up a new biscuit recipe today; and it turned out fabulously. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">Yeast Biscuits</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">1/2 c. warm water</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">1 tsp. sugar</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">1 packet yeast</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">(mix together and let set)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">2 1/2 c. flour</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">1 tsp. salt</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">1 Tbsp. sugar</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">2/3 c. shortening</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">(Mix together in a mixing bowl until flour looks like little white peas)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">Add in yeast mixture and 1/2 cup of milk. If dough is dry, add a bit more milk. It took about 2/3 cup milk and dough was sticky. Flour your counter and dump the dough onto the counter. Kneed for about a minute, just until no Long sticky. Roll out with a rolling pin and cut biscuits (I use a glass to cut them out). </span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">I used a cast iron skillet to bake mine in, but a baking sheet works fine. Brush the tops of the biscuits with a bit of milk and bake at 400 for 10-15 min or until just browned. This makes about 10 biscuits.</span> <br />
<br />
Bake & Enjoy and Until next time,<br />
MommyShelle CMommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950571764428831148.post-74982820758245686332012-02-21T22:19:00.000-06:002012-02-21T22:19:39.091-06:00Life...Where does the time go?Just yesterday, I was weighing the pros & cons of staying home with our boys. <br />
<br />
Really, it was 6 months ago already and I now have 4 others to care for as well. <br />
<br />
I love it (most days). <br />
<br />
I like it (most days).<br />
<br />
I hate it (less days).<br />
<br />
But, mostly, I am glad that I did it. I can't believe it has already been 6 months. I really does feel like yesterday. <br />
<br />
I had a friend bring me lunch today and she still is amazed by the whole transition and swears she could never do it. (You could if you had to)<br />
<br />
<br />
Just a glimpse of what has been going on...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8SrO9jKTM8/T0RrNM3SM6I/AAAAAAAAAF4/x87vf8FjGD0/s1600/DSC03391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8SrO9jKTM8/T0RrNM3SM6I/AAAAAAAAAF4/x87vf8FjGD0/s200/DSC03391.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SuyBKXr6hTc/T0RrdN3JLmI/AAAAAAAAAGA/Xx-TTC3pyPc/s1600/DSC03392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SuyBKXr6hTc/T0RrdN3JLmI/AAAAAAAAAGA/Xx-TTC3pyPc/s200/DSC03392.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Spaghetti O lunch with Daddy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This weekend is our semi-annual Scrapbook weekend with the girls and all the Daddies are their own. Here is a glimpse of what it looks like with 8 girls in 1 condo for 3 days!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Eu3eYL9ULpk/T0RsdMdGhvI/AAAAAAAAAGI/ToRyQoVcNM0/s1600/DSC02860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Eu3eYL9ULpk/T0RsdMdGhvI/AAAAAAAAAGI/ToRyQoVcNM0/s200/DSC02860.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So until next time after a few days of a much needed break, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> MommyShelle C</div>MommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950571764428831148.post-82308346239244823582012-01-23T21:26:00.000-06:002012-01-23T21:26:56.082-06:00Oatmeal Applesauce CookiesI love oatmeal cookies, but J gets tired of me always putting chocolate chips in them, so I made up a new recipe this afternoon.<br />
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<u>Oatmeal Applesauce Cookies</u><br />
1 c. margarine<br />
3/4 c. brown sugar<br />
1/2 c. sugar<br />
2 eggs<br />
1/3 c. applesauce<br />
1 tsp vanilla<br />
1 tsp cinnamon (if using cinnamon applesauce, omit this)<br />
2 c. flour<br />
1 1/2 c. oatmeal<br />
1 tsp baking soda<br />
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Mix together in the order listed and bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes. <br />
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These do NOT get very dark, are not overly sweet and are a pretty dense cookie (goes great with a glass of milk!)<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
MommyShelle CMommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950571764428831148.post-77495904375984554052012-01-16T21:30:00.000-06:002012-01-16T21:30:24.696-06:00Domesticated...I am getting there.So, before I was a SAHM, I was 'just a mom.' Ha!<br />
<br />
I have always loved to cook, been tolerant of cleaning, and obsessed on some level with organization.<br />
<br />
Since becoming a SAHM, I have found a new love: baking!<br />
<br />
Primarily this love has morphed into homemade bread. In the last week I have made5 loves of white bread, 2 pans of cinnamon rolls, a loaf of cinnamon raisin bread, a pan of dinner rolls and a batch of biscuits. YUMMY!<br />
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I am also certain that all of these things will find me back the recent 7 pounds I have managed to lose. <br />
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Now, if I only I could make myself clean a little more and make a little less mess each time I do this baking, my house would be a bit more presentable a bit more often. <br />
<br />
MommyShelle CMommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950571764428831148.post-61630278293309620682012-01-05T21:24:00.000-06:002012-01-05T21:24:28.989-06:00Creamy Pork Chops & RiceI only made 3 pork chops for this recipe, but make more of the chops & sauce as needed:<br />
<br />
*Season the pork chops how ever you like but I used; salt, pepper, garlic powder & season salt. <br />
*Put about 2 tbsp. olive oil in skillet & cook pork chops until done (about 5 min per side for 1/2 inch chop)<br />
*Remove chops from pan and set aside<br />
*Add about 1/3 -1/2 cup of Chicken broth to pan and stir with whisk to get all of the gunk off the bottom of the pan. This gunk is delicious and DO NOT waste it.<br />
*Add 2 oz. cream cheese and 2-3 tbsp. butter to broth in pan. Whisk until smooth. <br />
*Splash a couple of splashes of Worcestershire Sauce in there for some yummy flavor. <br />
*Add salt & pepper to taste. Add more broth until the consistency that you prefer. <br />
*Finally, pour the juice off the setting chops into cream sauce, whisk & serve over the chops & rice.<br />
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**I made a quick brown rice to serve with this and it was great together.MommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950571764428831148.post-56741764183170216712011-12-08T20:40:00.000-06:002011-12-08T20:40:21.835-06:00Be Prepared...This will take some time!So, it has been awhile since I last updated this. We have been super busy. Trying to keep up with our kids, the other kids coming and going on a daily basis and trying to be Santa to two of the cutest kids on earth.<br />
<br />
So here is what has happened in the last couple of months:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lSIH1nppRi0/TuFv4wbIrYI/AAAAAAAAAEw/EcPWRDNJ7ig/s1600/DSC02914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lSIH1nppRi0/TuFv4wbIrYI/AAAAAAAAAEw/EcPWRDNJ7ig/s200/DSC02914.JPG" width="200" /></a></div> I made this cute bow holder for a friends little girl. It has 2 long ribbons coming down off the bottom. <br />
<br />
(These pictures take too long to upload, but I made a super cute, Pinterest inspired, yard-stick Christmas card holder too)<br />
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We have also had B's 4th birthday, which turned out to be a real success. I can't believe it has already been 4 years. My baby is really growing up on me and is such a good big brother, most of the time. <br />
<br />
All 4 of us were in our local Christmas parade and we rode on the Santa Claus float at the end. Best of both worlds: going to get candy and then actually getting to be IN the parade. The boys loved it, but it was very windy that day.<br />
<br />
We put our tree up 2 weeks ago, sans the ornaments. Between my grubby handed children and the other 6 grubby handed children running around at any given time, we are lucky that the tree has only fallen over once so far. (That was tonight actually, by L)<br />
<br />
We had a choir cantata at our church last Sunday and J & I both sang in it. We sounded really good, if I must say so myself, and I do. We are also having our Christmas Program next weekend. For the kids program; B is the wiseman that brings gold and L is a dog. As for the adult program, J is Joseph and I am the angel. My dad is going to come (from Tulsa) and watch us perform as well as J's whole family. It will be great. <br />
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Finally, I have worked some real magic and gotten Christmas gifts for the whole family on a very tight budget. While B <u>asked for</u> a DS for Christmas, I have talked him into wanting a new stuffed puppy to sleep with. That's because we got both of the boys new Build-A-Bear's and some gift cards to get their own clothes for them. I was able to get some really good deals on things for the boys and our nieces and nephews on Black Friday (which was insane) and then decided to go INTO Bath & Body Works. That is the single, most stupid thing I have ever done in my life. Me and 300 of my closest Ozarkians crammed into a 1000 sq. foot store. DUMB!!!!<br />
Oh well, I got what I went after and even scored a VIP bag with some awesome stuff in it. <br />
<br />
So to wrap up, I want to leave you with this thought:<br />
Do you say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays?<br />
I say Merry Christmas and firmly believe that is the ONLY way to go. Explanation; aside from the fact that I am a Christian who serves Jesus Christ, I know that saying Happy Holidays is null & void without him.<br />
Example: Jesus was born on Christmas. Without his birth, there would be no holiday to celebrate. with out Christmas as one of the holidays, then it would in fact, just be, Happy New Year!<br />
<br />
Think about it & MERRY CHRISTMAS!<br />
MommyShelle CMommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950571764428831148.post-22706852566442451282011-11-17T10:36:00.000-06:002011-11-17T10:36:35.488-06:00Catching UpSo, for the last couple of weeks, I have been going crazy trying to watch myself coming & going. We have been super busy and it is only going to get worse between now and January 1st.<br />
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I have a couple of new recipes I need to post on here, but they will have to wait a couple of days. I also have some new craft projects that I have recently completed to post. I am thinking of selling one of them, because they are so stinkin' cute. (Hint: I can't use one in my house full of all boys)<br />
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So until next time, when I have more time,<br />
MommyShelle CMommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950571764428831148.post-37458565538429142192011-11-03T13:08:00.000-05:002011-11-03T13:08:16.633-05:00Book Review: Love You More<img alt="" class="postReviewCover" height="200" src="http://booksneeze.com/art/_200_360_Book.483.cover.jpg" width="130" /><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I just read “Love You More: The Divine Surprise of Adopting my Daughter” by Jennifer Grant. This was an excellent book about the insides and outs of adopting and the struggle involved in such a process.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jennifer Grant has a quirky writing style that is difficult to get used to at first, but once you get into it, she does an exceptional job of relaying the message intended in a way that anyone can relate to. The author takes you on a journey through being a newlywed with the desire to have children to being a new mom that has it all under control. Three kids and a talk with God later, Jennifer & her husband find themselves on the long road to adoption. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">While the author gives an enlightening story of the ups and downs of the entire adoption process and the emotional turmoil that a family goes through along the way, she has a way of sugar coating the process without taking away from the pain involved. I have several close friends who have also just gone through the process of international adoption, so it was really a nice insight to compare and contrast what the author went through versus what my friends went through, all in the same general process. </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">She finishes the book with a glimpse into what life was like the first day, week, month, year and birthday after they brought their daughter home. She relayed what the trauma was like on the kids they already had and what it entailed to bring a child of a different race into a family. She gives some great advice from the hindsight point of view as to what worked and what didn’t and what, if you too are considering adoption, can do to try to ease into the transition. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I highly recommend reading this book if you are considering adoption, in the process of, or even just know someone who is going through it. It was very insightful & witty.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I received this book from Booksneeze in exchange for an honest review. </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">MommyShelle C<o:p></o:p></span></div>MommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950571764428831148.post-20907461605711231882011-10-21T23:41:00.000-05:002011-10-21T23:41:40.774-05:00'Fall'ing Into The New routine<span style="color: #3d85c6;">It has been a little over two months since I started being a SAHM. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">It has been exciting and exhausting, energetic and hard. As well as having my own two kids at home with me everyday, I have also been watching other kids. I have a little boy two days a week and two sisters three days a week. It is hard enough keeping my own two kids in line and on task, adding 3 more kids to the mix makes it impossible most times. (It does help that I love kids and had wanted to be a teacher at one time.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">But by far, the hardest part, is keeping all of the schedules on schedule. I have 2 calendars hanging in the same spot. One is for the everyday stuff; like who I am keeping that day, Dr. Appointments, school stuff, trash pick ups, etc... The other calendar has birthdays & anniversaries on it. Then just to make it worse, B's ACTUAL preschool calendar hangs next to them. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">I knew this was going to be the hardest thing I had ever done, but that was an understatement by far. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">The next 10 days of life will include:</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Grandparent pictures with Granny & Pa</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Grandpa Ray's birthday party</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">B is helper of the day at preschool</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Fall Party at preschool</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">B's 4th birthday party</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Church Hayride</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Halloween/ B's 4th birthday</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">OMG!!!!!!!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Oh well. If we weren't busy, we would be bored. If we were bored, we would complain. If we complain, then we get busy. thus the cycle of life...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">What does your Fall schedule look like??</span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">MommyShelle C</span>MommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950571764428831148.post-39274239012248226522011-10-01T21:06:00.000-05:002011-10-21T23:14:10.800-05:00Date Night<span style="color: #274e13;">So, tonight was date night for J and I.</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;">With 3 hours to spend with your spouse and no kids, what did we do?</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;">We went to watch the newly released movie: 'Courageous.'</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;">One word: Awesome! It is a faith-based movie by the makers of 'Facing the Giants' and 'Fireproof.'</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;">The movie was centered around a team of Sheriff's Deputies from Georgia that all decide to not only be 'good-enough' dads, but to be better dads (and husbands). The movie revolves around what we really need more of: good Dads that are involved in their children's lives and genuinely care enough about them to lead them in the right directions in life. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;">I can't say much more without giving a lot of it away, but it is a great movie that will having you laughing & crying. I needed more than the one popcorn covered napkin for this movie. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;">Then after our movie (which was the 4:00 matinee) we decided to go get our favorite Chinese food for supper. We haven't had it since before I became a SAHM, so it was a real treat! I enjoyed every calorie laden bite & even had a few bites to bring home and love tomorrow for supper. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;">And finally, a trip the old Mega-Mart to get some ice cream for dessert. We also picked up B's birthday present, but I will let you know more about that in 30 days when he turns 4. :( </span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;">BTW: we also got a new member of the family today. His name is Slick & he is a terrior mix of some kind. The best part; he is already house broke, so no potty-training the dog; which is great since we just got done potty-training the almost 4 year old! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13;">Until next time & go watch this movie,</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;">MommyShelle C</span>MommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950571764428831148.post-7085579809170970842011-09-12T20:49:00.000-05:002011-09-12T20:49:06.793-05:00September 11, 2001-10 Years Later10 years ago yesterday:<br />
- I was 17 years old & a senior in high school<br />
- I was sitting in Senior English<br />
- I had NO real idea what was going on<br />
- I had NO real idea the impact it would be in the days, weeks, months & years to come<br />
- My small town in the middle-of-nowhere Missouri was slightly impacted<br />
- My naive self later figured out just how naive & sheltered I was in comparison to the rest of the world<br />
- Some of my classmates and myself talked our way out of a Biology II test in order to watch the happenings on TV that day<br />
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Looking back now, there are very few things that I remember from that day 10 years ago. As a senior in High School, there were things I am sure I found more important. I had cheerleading practice, a boyfriend and friends. I had tests to study for (after all; we couldn't postpone that Bio test forever), hair to style and movies to watch. <br />
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I do remember writing a journal entry the week before in Senior English. It was to the following prompt: "Name a major catastrophe that would kill a large number of people and how it would affect people."<br />
My journal entry happened to involve a huge plane crash that killed hundreds. <br />
WEIRD!!!! <br />
CREEPY!!!!<br />
I don't remember all of the details, I just remember how creeped out I was over the whole journal entry/ plane crash irony of it all. <br />
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So what were you doing that day? What do you remember about how you felt? How did it directly/ indirectly affect you & your family???<br />
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In the words of Diamond Rio; "<strong><span style="color: blue;">In God We Still Trust</span></strong>."<br />
MommyShelle CMommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950571764428831148.post-60536600754303325712011-08-21T21:47:00.000-05:002011-08-21T21:47:51.601-05:00Vacation, Family & TraditionsOkay, so last Saturday we piled our two sleeping angels into the Mommy Mobile (AKA the van) and headed out on what we thought was going to be a 12 hour trip to Northern Iowa. Well, it only took 9 1/2 hours (Praise the Lord!!!) and that included an hour for breakfast. <br />
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We spent Saturday afternoon relaxing, catching up on sleep and talking with my Aunt & Uncle that we were staying with for the trip. <br />
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Sunday, we went slightly over the border into Minnesota to visit my Dad's side of the family. well his sister and one of his brothers anyway. we also met up with some of the cousins (a few of which I met for the first time). We then detoured off course about a mile to visit my Aunt (Mom's oldest sister) and finished with a good nap on the ride back into Iowa. <br />
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On Monday, we journeyed North again for a visit to my sweet 93 year old Grandma. She was doing very well and even got in a tug-of-war with L over her walker. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AEqfYJd66f8/TlG-nxgw7lI/AAAAAAAAACs/djPkzLmYVdo/s1600/DSC02667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AEqfYJd66f8/TlG-nxgw7lI/AAAAAAAAACs/djPkzLmYVdo/s320/DSC02667.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We also made a few stops along the way. we drove past my Grandma & Grandpa J's old farm place and let the boys do some exploring...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EnuCGCt5Gaw/TlG_i4_N_NI/AAAAAAAAACw/KWHfYy1wirU/s1600/DSC02655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EnuCGCt5Gaw/TlG_i4_N_NI/AAAAAAAAACw/KWHfYy1wirU/s200/DSC02655.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8hbaV6QzYOA/TlG_6YaZMcI/AAAAAAAAAC0/WSWrwjaflBA/s1600/DSC02657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8hbaV6QzYOA/TlG_6YaZMcI/AAAAAAAAAC0/WSWrwjaflBA/s200/DSC02657.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> B riding the deer in front of Grandma & Grandpa's old house and then picking apples off the trees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, then on Tuesday it was time to say farewell to Northern Iowa and head home. We loaded up and hit the road around 8:00 AM and we made it home about 6:00 PM. Not to bad of a trip except the screaming kids and the whining husband (because oh yeah, he got sick on Saturday evening, to later find out it was strep throat). I put the kids to bed and let J lay around on the couch and I went grocery shopping to re-gain some of my sanity. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, then Wednesday brought back an old family tradition of mine; cleaning fresh sweet corn. While in Iowa, Uncle Dan hooked us up with some fresh corn straight from the field. So, once we got it home, it had to be cleaned, cooked & eaten (or frozen in our case). B was a natural at this cleaning thing...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tioutysBx3g/TlHAMxnNrwI/AAAAAAAAAC4/hOa76I5nu5c/s1600/DSC02700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tioutysBx3g/TlHAMxnNrwI/AAAAAAAAAC4/hOa76I5nu5c/s200/DSC02700.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ak5Ewm1rbk/TlHAdnVXnWI/AAAAAAAAAC8/bZleZ88v_1M/s1600/DSC02706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ak5Ewm1rbk/TlHAdnVXnWI/AAAAAAAAAC8/bZleZ88v_1M/s200/DSC02706.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We cleaned 25 ears of corn. We saved eight back for when mom & dad were here over the weekend, but I cooked, cut and froze the other 17 wonderfully delicious ears for later. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, aside from long car rides and a sick husband, this year's vacation went well. It is back to work for J tomorrow and back to the SAHM business for myself. My first kid starts this week and the look out for more begins. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Until next time and from my life to yours,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">MommyShelle C</div>MommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1950571764428831148.post-56686738426550913182011-08-11T21:07:00.000-05:002011-10-21T23:12:47.614-05:00My Life as a Stay-At-Home-Mommy (SAHM)<span style="color: #674ea7;">So, today was day #4. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">Day #1 ended with this: "Mommy, you have been such a good girl today. Daddy will be so proud of you." B</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;">Day #2 was uneventful.</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;">Day #3 involved 2 of our nephews and it was LOUD!!!</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;">Day #4 was much like day #3 but we made Chocolate Chip Cookies, and that made it more tolerable.</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;">Day #5 will be just us again.I hope to plan bowling trip in there somewhere and a full day of packing before we leave on our trip.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">So, the first week has been fun, but still just feels like a week off of work. Nothing overly out of the ordinary or eventful to speak of. Although, it doesn't take long for your co-workers to not bug you anymore when you are no longer a co-worker. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">I have seen two of my past co-workers this week in 'FREE WEEK' at a local fitness center. They are offering a free week of classes to entice you into paying for them. Well, this SAHM is one out of shape lady; unless you count round as a shape!?!?? we have all had a good time killing ourselves in these classes and deciding that Yoga is in fact, not as easy as one might think.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">This weekend we are off to see my side of the family. They all live in the corn & bean fields of Northern Iowa/ Southern Minnesota. Our main objective is to see my 93 year old Grandma, so she can see the boys. B was only 7 months old (3 years ago) the last time we saw most of the family. A 12 hour car ride with two kids under 4 should be an enlightening experience to say the least. I will post pics when we get back to show you how fun it was or wasn't.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;">the best part of the trip is sure to be the 100 stops we will have to make along the way for out FINALLY potty-trained 3 year to use the bathroom (or side of the road). Oh well, at least he tells us now when he needs to go potty. Praise God!!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;">So long for now and I will update when we get back in a few days,</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;">MommyShelle C</span>MommyShelle Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04312359532782706123noreply@blogger.com0