Following His Example

Well, I've really been thinking about how dysfunctional my extended family is and have realized that I really wish I wasn't so selfish as a child and teenager. Kind of a weird entrance into the blog entry, but that's what led to my thinking.


My mom is one of the most giving people I know. Growing up she took so many people under her wing, taking people in to live with us, giving and providing for many. She is amazing. Over my childhood years we had not only my immediate family living with us, but my mom's foster brother Tommy, my uncle Dean, my cousin Jeffrey, and my Grandpa all live with us at different times. She let these people in at some of the most difficult times in their lives and was just one of the most amazing examples I wish I would have seen at the time. I know I'm her daughter, but she also let my husband, two daughters and I live with for 11 months while we prepared to purchase our first home.

She has been an amazing example to me as I see her always giving. We are very much alike in our personalities (difficult time saying no, sometimes a little too honest/harsh, etc.), but I wish I had all of her amazing generous qualities. I wish that I could find the unconditional love and generosity inside of me that I know is hiding somewhere.

My mom is a survivor of breast cancer!! Through some of the most difficult times in her life, she had to count on others to help her, and sometimes it wasn't easy for her, but it had to happen. I love that my mom is a survivor!!

My mom lost her mother while I was a junior in high school. She had such an amazing outlook on everything. She knows that she will once again see my grandmother waiting for her on the other side and has always had an amazing outlook on the situation. It was, nonetheless, one of the most difficult times in her life getting through losing someone you love so much.

My mom was estranged from my Aunts for many, many years. These two aunts were the ones I grew up with, the ones whose children I played with. One of these Aunts was one of my mom's best friends and things turned sour. It was one of the hardest things to see my mom go through. However, I still saw my mom thinking about them, getting them gifts and sending them (whether named or anonymously), she knew one day she would get through it. I witnessed her praying for them with no idea how they were or where they were in life. Several years ago, I got to witness my mom and one of my aunts get back in touch and I see my mom so happy. I am amazed at how she gets through these terrible situations with such an amazing and positive outlook.

I know my mom doesn't read this, and most that do, probably don't even know my mom. But, if you are ever so lucky to meet my mother, then know that behind her humble exterior, she is such an amazing woman. She never gives up. I sometimes give up and have a hard time getting rid of old negative feelings, but my mom gets over it. She holds experiences to help her in her new experiences, but doesn't use those negative experiences to judge others. She is truly amazing.

She is a wonderful grandmother, an amazing mom, and an awesome friend. I hope that one day I can be even half the example she is for me, for my own children. I love my mom and I know that she really has the concept down "following His example". I love her!!!!

Christmas Gifts

Well, the time has come for Christmas giving, which I love. However, there gets a point when it gets stressful and NOT what I love.

Lately (over the past year or so), I've tried to avoid getting gifts for people on special occasions, if they aren't the "right" gift. I know, it sounds a little crazy, but I actually didn't get my mom a gift for her birthday because I couldn't find the right thing and didn't want to get her another "thing" to clutter her house. She's been working really hard at ultra-minimizing things in her house, in anticipation of retiring and moving up to the ranch.

Dale has the HUGE family that I was able to convince to do a name draw for the gift exchange. That is such a relief. I'll only have to focus on one person instead of 20 (yes, really, 20!)

Now I'm left with what to get for who, but my own daughter!! That's right, my own daughter. The other two are done, but I'm stuck on what to get as Olivia's "main" gift.

Olivia's wish list consists of VERY expensive items:Now I have a whiney baby that needs to go to bed so I'll hopefully get back to this later.

Blog Surfing Brings Great Treasures

While catching up on one of my favorite blogs today (Inspiring Creations), I met a new favorite blog. Summer at Sumo's Sweet Stuff was doing a blog swap today and posted this teaser. She showed some of the types of posts we mind find on her blog including

these super cute photo blocks. (what a great toy for a little one learning the faces of her family)and this super cute onesie for a little handsome cutie. A tie, how sweet is that?

What really caught my eye was this beauty. Of course you know I have all girls and it seems like all the cousins are girls as well, so it's never ending in the clothing/gift department. I absolutely love the faux necklace and the tights. Do you see those cute tights, embellished with crochets flowers?

So adorable!!

It took me awhile searching her blog to see if she explained how these totally cute leggings were made, and guess what!!, I found it. Right here is where you can find the basics on what she did to make these super cute additions to any little girl's wardrobe. Here are a few examples:

Have fun crafting!

1st cutie added

Ok, just figured out how to add this super cute signature. Colors and fonts may change as my blog's decorating changes, but for now, here it is:

Redecorating

Don't be surprised if you see a lot of changes on this blog.  I think I'll be redecorating to see what fits well.  For some reason the old layout I had is no longer there so my blog is just white.  Don't worry, I'm back to make it pretty.  Unfortunately, not until I'm back from Nevada.  I have to go pack before Dale gets home so he's not totally annoyed with me. 

 

So here's my question:  What is your favorite blog layout template site.  I'm all about FREE, so be aware of that.  If you use something that you love, let me know so I can check it out.  I have no idea what I'm looking for right now, but I obviously need a change from my blank slate.

 

Lastly, wish me luck.  I need to be good.  I need to be understanding and I need to keep my mouth shut when I visit my new in-laws (Dale's married siblings).  I won't be specific, but apparently there's an oil and water thing going on so I really want to be the best I can so I'm not the bad guy.  Pray for me to see this individual as Heavenly Father would.  Wish me luck that I can do my very best to keep my mouth shut and just to have a good time.

 

I do get to see my very newest neice so I'm so excited about that.  Alright, I really need to sign off!!  Need to go pack, need to go pack!

 

Shannon

My first mobile post

Well, I wanted to see how the mobile posting worked, so here I am just checking it out.  ;)

 

Shannon

Decisions, decisions

Well, I've been really contemplating getting back into blogging lately. I'm stuck by the computer daily due to the new type of schooling that the girls are doing so I have five minutes here and there all day long to write little snippets. My dilemna now comes with deciding my focus. For awhile now I've been wondering if my constant link postings on Facebook are annoying or helpful to people. I know that a lot more people are on facebook than read my blog, but I know that sometimes I don't even look at links or videos that some people post. I've even had to go as far as hiding one person on facebook because they were posting so many youtube videos that I couldn't see what what going on with the rest of my friends list without searching hard. (It didn't help that the said person was also posting things that were quite innapropriate, whether it was the title or the visual frozen screen of the beginning of the video). Sorry to them, but I just couldn't look at it anymore. I don't want that it my house and I have children that are home all day and sometimes see what is on the screen while I'm on facebook (two of which can read).

Yes, you heard it, I have two readers!! Olivia has been doing amazing with her reading and I am so very proud of her!

OK, back to my dilemna. I'm trying to decide if people would rather get updates of my family only on this blog or if posting neat crafts or projects or I do or find on blogs would be neat too. I guess I should just start posting and if it gets to be too many ideas, I can make a second blog devoted to my crafts and craft ideas.

I will be gone this weekend, but look forward to many more updates now that I'm back on board.

Shannon

Vote for my story to send us to Disneyland!!

I'm a finalist in a short writing contest for a VIP trip for my family to go to Disneyland.

Time to send us some Magic.

Today is the last day for voting and polls close early today so please,please, please VOTE NOW and SHARE NOW.

Last time results were visible we were down 2% which would be about 40 votes. Let's do this! #7, "Grandpa Saves the Day" by Shannon

That's me and my Grandpa! He's great!

Results will be hidden so it will be a surprise so get going now, please! Love the support I've had so far. Love you guys!!http://www.babesindisneyland.blogspot.com/ (vote,copy,paste,share)

Disneyland VIP giveaway

Wow, I have this amazing chance to win a VIP trip to Disneyland with my family. How amazing would that be? If you want to have a chance, then go to either of these websites for a chance:

Sweet Life in The Valley and Out & About with the Family Giveaway for a trip to Disneyland including links to www.sweetlifeinthevalley.com and www.outandaboutwiththefamily.com

Good luck, hope that I win. :)

I'm Clutter Busting

OK, I've been dealing with the problem of clutter for my whole life and have finally made a conscious decision to make a change. I know hardly anyone reads my blog, especially since I haven't posted in quite a while, but I'm here now! I got this book: (for some reason the add image feature isn't working), but it's called Clutter Busting by Brooks Palmer. Anyhow, I've tryed Flylady and organize this and that and spring cleaning, but STUFF just keeps overtaking my house and sucking my energy. I wanted to actually physically commit to this and hopefully when I'm done I'll have something I love to show for it.

The biggest thing that I've seen while reading this book is that something can be in perfectly good condition, but if it isn't useful to me or I don't love it, then I don't need to keep it. I can let it go. I want to let go of a lot. I don't need all the CDs I have, or the books, or papers. I look forward to sharing with you my progress and would hope that someone else would join me in this campaign to clear clutter out of our homes and lives. Another huge point in the book is that if you have physical clutter, it is always associated with something mental. I'll have to figure out what that is for me, but I'm sure it won't be hard. Alright, wish me luck and please, if you are interested in being a support and you need the support as well, let me know and we'll hold each other accountable.

I know it will take awhile, but my goal is to have my home in a situation of loving it by my 30th birthday, that's December 20th. It's going to be hard, but I am going to do my best. Off to clutterbust my bathroom cabinet. :)

Shannon

Aaaaaaahhhh!

Well, I was woken this morning at 5:30a by the phone. Dale was calling from outside VERY DISTRESSED!!! He worked late last night in Sonoma so took his company van home (nice bright PG&E blue with decals everywhere). Anyhow, when he went out this morning to go to work, it was gone. All that was left was the lowly wheel chock. After calling 9-1-1, the operator confirmed that the vehicle was just involved in a crash (I won't say accident, because it was on purpose). Apparently, the idiots that stole his van decided they wanted to break into the Island Market over on Springs Rd., so drove it through the front of the building. Dale was just called to go to the scene of the crime. Goll! Why do people have to steal? I just don't understand what goes through someone's head that would possess them to TAKE something that someone else worked hard for. Why do people think it's ok to get something for nothing or take something that doesn't belong to them. I'm furious at this concept. It's ridiculous that while so many of us work for the things we have there are others that just take it. While so many of us pay for what we get, others still just take it. While so many of us struggle with natural monetary things (for instance our microwave and tv recently went kaput), others will just take it. I'm sure the same breed of person that stole Dale's van would just schedule when they could pick up a replacement tv, we're having to save up for one. I am beyond angry right now at the thought that it is so commonplace for people to steal. It hasn't even entered my mind as an option for anything. Are these people mentally challenged or are they incapable of working!?! Stay tuned for more information. I'm sure that today's Valentine's party for our kids will be ruined because I'll have to take Dale out to Santa Rosa to get our van. People don't understand the domino reaction of people that are affected by something so stupid, that could have absolutely been avoided. Now Dale is worried that he'll lose his job, which I'm sure won't happen, but it's a possibility and all because someone didn't want to work and pay for something they WANTED. All I have to say now is AAAAAAAAaaaaaahhhh!

New Calling

OK, ok, I'm really sorry. I sure took a long time to follow up with telling you about my new calling. I am the Young Women's President in my ward. It is pretty exciting and humbling at the same time. That means I get to help oversee our mutual program. Right now we have four active girls (1 beehive*, 2 mia maids*, and 1 laurel*) One week after entering the YW program our one active laurel received her Young Womanhood Recognition (kinda like the eagle scout award for girls...best way to explain it).

I now see that people actually read my blog so I hope that I can start blogging more regularly. Stay posted for my rant of Kaiser! We'll keep this post positive though. I am excited to help these young women grow and learn and have fun and I'm excited to get our ward's less active girls coming back. We'll see how this adventure goes. :)

*beehive=12 & 13 year old girl
*mia maid=14 & 15 year old girl
*laurel=16 & 17 year old girl