tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29961765243500211772012-02-08T22:22:40.277-05:00shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.comBlogger3731100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-42615454898147120262012-02-07T17:16:00.000-05:002012-02-07T23:36:21.650-05:00

I am in love . . . with a boy . . .  who is just so cute.   And sweet. But it's more than that. It's his eyes.   And his smile. They stop my heart. I could look at him all day. And when he looks at me . . . it's like I'm the only girl in the room. And that voice. It makes me melt. And when he sings to me . . . well, *SWOON* It doesn't hurt that he's

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-54284281250721460882012-01-29T22:59:00.001-05:002012-01-29T22:59:39.851-05:00

Have you ever learned about something and wondered "How in the world did I go through my entire life and not know about that until just now?" 'Cause I've just had one of those moments. How is it possible that I have lived on this earth for over 30 years and I have just now found out about Chinese sky lanterns? And here I thought those Tangled writers were super creative! Come to find out they

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-70856592960136515132012-01-26T22:55:00.002-05:002012-01-26T22:55:45.166-05:00

I love having kids.  I mean, truly love it.  I want to fill up my house with kids.  Bunches and bunches of them. I think Shaelyn is totally in tune with how I feel on the subject, because she is constantly saying things like: "Mom, when the next baby comes, can I hold it at the hospital?" (No, I'm not pregnant.) "Mom, when we put another bunk bed in this room for all the babies, there won't be

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-48337714192384696662011-12-22T00:17:00.001-05:002011-12-22T00:17:30.129-05:00

City of mystery, of enchantment . . . (quote it with me, sister . . .) and of all things Princess Jasmine! Over the last few months, Shaelyn has become obsessed with that often-overlooked 90's cartoon heartthrob.  I have my suspicions that it is mostly due to the fact that she has a classmate this year by the same name, but she assures me this is not the case. Either way, she has been planning

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-13009354470798675722011-11-10T23:50:00.001-05:002011-11-11T00:36:32.658-05:00

Over the course of these last few weeks, I've made some pretty big decisions.  One of them was the decision to start making SMART decisions.  And I've gotta say, once I had that decision in the bag, it was go time. Some of my recent smart decisions have been small.  Like not losing it when the kids colored all over Christian's changing table/dresser with a black Sharpie.  Because, to their

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-88337382636096300452011-11-04T23:17:00.005-05:002011-11-04T23:17:29.963-05:00

When Shaelyn was 2, she wanted to be Cinderella for Halloween.  And she wanted the rest of the family to be her entourage.  And she got to pick who was who.  She had total control over the decision-making process, a role she completely relished.  And since Rachelle was only 9 months old, she didn't care that her big sister had assigned her the role of Gus-Gus.  In fact, she made the cutest

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-65376413322369777442011-10-18T21:22:00.000-05:002011-10-18T22:24:29.340-05:00

"I can't sit down.  I can't stand up.  I can't sit down.  I can't stand up.  I can't sit down . . . " She repeats it over and over and over in a sing-song voice, completely oblivious to the agony I'm experiencing as I have to listen to it.  Rachelle was exhausted and is already asleep.  So is Christian.  Peacefully, silently slumbering away. What goes on in 4-year-olds' heads anyway?  What

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-71041695986088239252011-10-12T21:51:00.001-05:002011-10-12T21:51:23.649-05:00

When we first moved into this house, I had visions for the two oak trees in our front yard.  Sure, they were puny, and of course, they didn't drop their ugly brown leaves all winter long, but they had potential. For THIS: It only took me 6 Halloweens to finally bring the potential to life.  And I couldn't be happier.  I hope Spidey, whom we have not yet named (despite my constant attempts to

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-43345645762486895942011-10-11T20:58:00.000-05:002011-10-11T20:58:25.938-05:00

I once had a boss that I really liked.  He was tough, he expected a lot (too much, I sometimes thought), and many people were afraid of him.  But he was great at motivating people.  He was constantly trying to get us to do better than we ever had done, to stretch our reach further and accomplish more. But that meant that we had to change something.  Or sometimes many things. This was something

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-86971511454945020002011-10-04T19:57:00.001-05:002011-10-04T19:57:06.727-05:00

'Cause when I first saw it, I totally thought it was me.  Like right-now me, not little-kid me. The nose gives it away. But seriously.  Does anyone else see it?

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-9013012833747017902011-09-22T21:30:00.001-05:002011-09-22T21:30:13.977-05:00

Just capturing the daily beauty that is around me.   I am so blessed.

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-55424762860511570112011-09-14T22:13:00.003-05:002011-09-14T22:13:52.624-05:00

Every year I question whether or not I'm going to teach preschool again the following year.  It's an emotional journey I find myself on as I try to answer that question.  One that I commit to a lot of prayer.  Running a preschool in your home is taxing - financially, mentally, physically, and especially emotionally. I feel like every year I approach teaching again with an adaptation of the

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-26146124078650351312011-09-11T21:30:00.001-05:002011-09-11T21:30:09.705-05:00

Michael    ** Traveling to ATL this month   **  Looking forward to yet another BEACH WEEKEND this month as our last one was cut short due to HURRICANE IRENE.   **  Won the BIGGEST SPLASH CONTEST at a community pool on Labor Day - and came out singing "Fat guy in a little pool!"  Hey, got a free round of golf out of it!   **  Starting FANTASY FOOTBALL again - and even after 35 practice

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-76338088042749054552011-09-06T14:24:00.000-05:002011-09-06T14:24:37.652-05:00

I want it to be known - there were no tears shed today.  Well, not by Mommy or Shaelyn anyway.  Several tears were shed by Rachelle and Christian.  Mainly about having to wait in the car.  But Shaelyn was excited and I kept it together.  Shocking. A year and a half ago, I bought fabric to sew the girls some new dresses, with the intent of giving them to the girls for Easter.  Yesterday I

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-48021261507041416892011-08-23T20:45:00.007-05:002011-08-23T21:24:38.373-05:00

My mom's coming into town today. Think she'll believe all this was caused by the quake that rocked the East coast this afternoon? Funny thing is, I didn't even know we had experienced any kind of a quake. I was on the phone with my sister when my next-door neighbor called. She never calls. So I figured I'd click over. "Did you just feel your house shaking?" "Um, no. Why? Did you feel your

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-34050102040659172232011-07-15T23:12:00.003-05:002011-07-15T23:23:02.591-05:00

So fantastic! So so so FANTASTIC!Cried several times. But no uncontrollable sobbing on this one.Here's a tip for those of you who haven't yet seen it: Look for the "aging changes" at the end of the movie. How do you make a 20-year-old look like a 40-year-old mother of 3? Make her hips wider and her butt bigger. Looking down in my seat, I had to agree that they got that metamorphosis exactly

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-14278076755744792052011-07-08T13:27:00.001-05:002011-07-08T20:48:30.823-05:00

After an excellent discussion with my parents on the subject, I've decided to let Rachelle win the battle and wear her princesses dresses EVERYWHERE, just the way she wants. Because as my dad so wisely said, "Just because she wins this battle doesn't mean she wins the war!"So who cares if she would have made the cutest 2-year-old cow on the planet. Or that I had already put her costume together

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-40533448209939924042011-07-08T00:10:00.003-05:002011-07-08T00:10:00.185-05:00

Michael** Is BUSIER than I have ever known him to be ** His work in his calling is really BLESSING OUR FAMILY, so we are supportive and happy even though he's not around as much ** Traveling to BOSTON and CHICAGO this month ** Has put a TON OF MILES on his car after 6 months of constantly driving to the stake center ** OBSESSED WITH the 25th Anniversary Concert of Les Misérables (as am I)

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-82103409361498938712011-07-06T00:10:00.004-05:002011-07-06T19:54:36.780-05:00

When I found out I was pregnant with Shaelyn, Michael was out of town. We had been trying to get pregnant for over a year and were finally ready to call it quits for a while. Upon making that decision, I traveled out of town for work and could barely keep my eyes open I was so EXHAUSTED. When I got back in town, Michael took off. We were like ships passing in the night. Which gave me the

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-21266544616773829702011-06-20T10:50:00.003-05:002011-06-20T10:58:48.931-05:00

Shaelyn: "We're wearing our July clothes."Clara: "Don't we look like grown-ups?"Nicolle, I think we're going to have to check these girls' backpacks before they leave for school EVERY MORNING, just in case there's any ideas of "outfit switching" behind our backs!They pulled these off a little TOO well, if you know what I mean . . .

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-66936344071435621572011-06-15T00:10:00.000-05:002011-06-15T00:10:00.809-05:00

I never did type out my labor story from Christian's birth. The short version is that it went rather smoothly, not nearly as fast as I had anticipated, and involved one very scary panic attack.I had a reaction to the epidural. You know, that scary reaction you've always heard about but don't actually know anyone who's had it. The one they always talk to you about while the anesthesiologist

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-76264920950530288132011-06-12T21:05:00.002-05:002011-06-12T21:46:56.364-05:00

I have a sneaking suspicion that I have developed adult-onset ADD. (I don't even know if that is a real condition or not, but for the sake of this post, let's just say that it is.)Maybe it's the 1/2 (or 1/4 or 1/8) -finished tasks all around my house. Or the fact that I can't focus on the budget for long enough to actually do the budget. Or the millions of "lost items" around my house that

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-5123766391236226722011-06-07T21:16:00.003-05:002011-06-07T21:46:01.919-05:00

I've worn my fair share of costumes since becoming a preschool teacher. I have no shame when it comes to dressing up to amuse 3, 4, and 5-year-olds. The preschool moms have been impressed with my creative stash of things around the house that can turn into Australian Outback cowgirl costume, a pregnant leprechaun, George Washington (complete with powdered wig), and the Statue of Liberty.The

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-11184958593610022402011-06-05T21:36:00.009-05:002011-06-05T21:54:03.245-05:00

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-64869552371365313072011-06-05T16:05:00.009-05:002011-06-05T16:18:44.526-05:00

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-16240235279746218612011-06-01T19:40:00.003-05:002011-06-01T21:30:01.394-05:00

Nicolle was reading Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother on the couch."I can't decide if people like that are brave or stupid," I said to her."You mean, to lay it all out there like that?" she asked."Yeah, to write about all your flaws and mistakes. To be that real, for the whole world to read. I could never do that," I answered."But you do do that," she protested. "You're real on your blog. You

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-84045810014947174342011-06-01T00:10:00.000-05:002011-05-31T13:40:29.273-05:00

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-31653218492724744582011-05-22T22:35:00.005-05:002011-05-22T23:20:53.035-05:00

Michael and I were driving on a country highway yesterday when we came around a bend in the road. Cars were pulled off on both sides, people out of the their cars. Lots of cars. Lots of people."Must be a party," was my passing, not-all-that-interested thought. I was more focused on our destination and the excitement that awaited us.Then I saw the car.It was completely crumpled. Without giving

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-87292114289722884622011-05-10T11:34:00.003-05:002011-05-10T12:18:16.422-05:00

Michael** Proud papa of a new BABY BOY! ** For the last 2 months, busy trying to BALANCE work, church, family in town, and traveling ** Yes, has TRAVELED TWICE since Christian has been born - and was gone an ENTIRE WEEK his second week of life ** Counting down the days until our family BEACH VACATION later this month ** Did NOT get sick after Christian's birth - only deathly ill the

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-89103428112018696152011-05-02T00:01:00.000-05:002011-05-02T08:15:56.946-05:00

I know you want to see pictures of Christian. I know you want to hear my labor story. And I know you are wondering what's been taking me SO LONG to post anything about my third child.Life has moved on, and rather quickly, too. In Christian's first week of life, we went to two museums, out to eat, and to the playground.In his second week of life, I went back to church to sing in the choir, hosted

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-79909444895971912112011-04-14T04:08:00.002-05:002011-04-14T04:09:29.791-05:00

Heading in this morning to be induced.5:45 AM.You heard me.What time do you think this baby will be born?Be the closest and win a prize!

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-40955922751712915052011-04-02T21:03:00.007-05:002011-04-02T21:53:18.907-05:00

Yes, we're still here. All of us. One of us with a very ripe baby in our tummy, one of us with a very ripe pretend baby in our tummy, and one of us with a case of the truly terrible stomach flu that is going around.I've been wanting to have this baby for a while now, but now that Rachelle is sick, I'm ok for him to cook a little bit longer. (Think I can stretch this out a week?) Of course,

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-18410514373892011012011-03-03T22:32:00.008-05:002011-03-03T23:07:12.170-05:00

Before Rachelle was born, I'd often refer to Shaelyn as "my little best friend." It was an easy title to give her. We did everything together. I was her whole entire world, and in reality, she was mine, too.I was worried that having a second child would ruin our relationship. That we would stop being "little best friends." And I guess in some ways, that is true. We're not each other's

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-53313682790163550532011-03-01T22:00:00.005-05:002011-03-01T22:28:08.256-05:00

5+ weeks left to go in this pregnancy.That still feels like an eternity.On the plus side, I've gained the least amount of weight in this pregnancy. I carry Christian lower than I ever did the girls. This equals a little better breathing, a lot more pottying. He also sticks straight out of me more than they did. Which means:1) I think I look ridiculous.2) My back has hurt this pregnancy, which

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-44426404725021710302011-02-09T00:51:00.003-05:002011-02-10T01:07:58.047-05:00

What is better than going to bed with this tucked away in your backpack, waiting to be delivered tomorrow?Or this?Or finding this note in your Valentine mailbox?According to the 4 of us, NOTHING!

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-55750474369704951752011-02-06T23:21:00.013-05:002011-02-07T11:09:13.638-05:00

When Shaelyn turned 2, I threw a big Curious George party. I made homemade invitations. I pre-drew George's face on paper plates for the kids to paint. I decorated with George-themed decorations. I wanted her to have a party she could remember, and you know what, she does remember it. Or at the very least, having watched herself in pictures and videos incessantly has helped her to "remember.

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-69065028719326491312011-01-27T13:27:00.006-05:002011-01-27T14:02:40.705-05:00

In light of my feelings on motherhood and my recent post about sharing my voice, I love this article. (this one, too.)Makes me wish my blog got more traffic sometimes. But not really. I don't need that kind of pressure!Keep up the good work, my Mormon Mommy friends!

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-82289534575722156412011-01-26T18:41:00.005-05:002011-01-26T18:55:09.821-05:00

At 29 weeks preggo, here's what I look like NOW:And here's what I'll look like in the not-too-distant FUTURE:And on a side note, Shaelyn is also pregnant with her own baby she has named Pinky. Pinky kicks and causes her pain. She'll grimace and groan from time to time. Today in the car she gasped and sucked in a lot of air. I thought something was wrong. No, it was Pinky."Mom, my tummy is

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-50718706164914297682011-01-20T17:00:00.000-05:002011-01-20T21:15:55.331-05:00

** Post edit: I have been thinking about and writing this post for about a week. Even now I can't get the words right - the feelings of my heart. Reading this, you will probably get a 1/10th of the passion I feel about this subject. But my hope is that it causes you to ponder as much as it has made me over this last week. **I am involved. Do you know that about me? I don't sit idly by,

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-55061203582390798732011-01-05T11:34:00.004-05:002011-01-05T12:56:14.572-05:00

I have never been a germophobe. In fact, I think an exposure to germs now and then is a healthy thing. So please laugh along with me as you read my morning routine - for day 4 and counting:* Greet each girl with a cheery "good morning" and then quickly pin them down to wipe their eyes with a hot, wet, soft paper towel.*Throw away paper towel immediately.* Wash hands.* Pin girl down again to

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-24828733909317212862011-01-01T14:53:00.005-05:002011-09-11T21:30:15.379-05:00

JANUARY Michael ** Getting over the SHOCK of receiving a new calling at church - is now serving on the HIGH COUNCIL for the Stake ** Just barely got out of a TRIP TO BRAZIL (Shelley is grateful) for work, but may be going to ARGENTINA soon ** Happy to have WON in his Fantasy Football League for the SECOND YEAR IN A ROW - even got a trophy to prove it! ** Re-watching all of the LORD OF

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-56705560753420311172010-12-21T10:54:00.010-05:002010-12-21T22:07:05.387-05:00

All it takes is a single exposure, and Shaelyn is hooked. Something that she wanted nothing to do with, even days prior, suddenly becomes her very favorite thing in the world.This time it was the theater. Plays, musicals, dramatic adaptations, you name it - all completely heinous to the girl before her theatrical debut as Pocahontas in our preschool Thanksgiving play. After her stint as

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-84103886166105096292010-12-12T22:45:00.020-05:002010-12-13T00:45:38.333-05:00

I've been thinking of Shaelyn as "4" for so long, it's weird to think that today she actually turned 4. Michael and I had been away from the girls since Wednesday night on very our first vacation away from the kids, so Saturday night was a very long one. The girls were clingy, but actually tearful about having to come home. They wanted to stay at Miss Andrea's house. Michael and I were rested and

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-43340988271180960062010-12-01T00:01:00.000-05:002010-12-01T00:01:02.663-05:00

Here's your monthly update:Michael ** Traveling once for work this month - to LAS VEGAS ** Taking a TRIP WITH SHELLEY to Washington D.C. this month - WITHOUT THE KIDS!!! ** Going to see the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA with Shelley as well ** Putting up CHRISTMAS LIGHTS on the house and planning the ANNUAL AAGARD LEAF HARVEST for the same day ** Installing a CEILING FAN in the

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-88467342575728250702010-11-29T23:51:00.011-05:002010-11-30T00:28:05.270-05:00

Don't you just hate the Monday after a long holiday weekend? Me too. We spent our Monday decompressing. Two of us stayed in our jammies all day. The other one only changed out of jammies so that 25 different dress-up outfits could be put on. I took Sudafed all day as I try to recover from a cold I caught from Rachelle. The girls gleefully played with every. single. toy. they own that apparently

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-56288471212347212032010-11-23T13:43:00.024-05:002010-11-23T17:43:48.612-05:00

Preschool has been a bit trying for me this year. I can't imagine why. Maybe the fact that I'm pregnant with two children under 4 has something to do with it. Or maybe it's the willful child who told me she was "done with preschool" and stopped coming to class (in her own house!) for a week straight. Or it could be the clingy almost-2-year-old who joins us for class time and doesn't want to share

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-64949679326724477582010-11-21T21:56:00.002-05:002010-11-21T22:26:28.184-05:00

Tonight we put up "The Aagard Family Christmas Tree." Yes, Michael couldn't help himself referring to it as such every 5 seconds or so...It's a pathetic, 6-foot, scrawny, plastic thing. The girls had a blast dragging pieces of it around until Michael could find the stand and snatch the pieces back. Shaelyn and I had to "fluff" the sad looking branches that have been bunched up in a box for the

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-33326858779454724172010-11-08T15:39:00.002-05:002010-11-08T15:45:11.428-05:00

I know it's not summer and this is totally random, but I can't stop staring at this picture just emailed to me by a friend.

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-91597211635632454402010-11-07T19:38:00.011-05:002010-11-07T20:54:45.037-05:00

Up next: My adorable Rachelle! (And a little sneak peek at Michael and myself as well...)There is just something about teeny tiny toddlers in jeans. You know what I mean. Between the jeans, her sweater, and the fact that she actually let me pull her hair back, and the little whisps of hair flipping out in back, I'm not sure I've ever seen anything cuter!She was mostly cooperative for family

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-12765164014445540262010-11-06T13:29:00.005-05:002010-11-06T15:08:26.678-05:00

A friend and I decided to be economic this year and take each other's family photos. She took our pictures this morning. I took hers this afternoon. Yes, we are using these photos for our Christmas cards this year. Yes, we are amateurs. Yes, we know we are insane. But my children are not the kind of behaving-for-the-camera children that make shelling out dough for family photos worth it (most of

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-45671066156816212902010-11-03T17:26:00.003-05:002010-11-03T22:22:00.328-05:00

"So, are you hoping for a little boy this time?"I can't tell you how many times I have had this question asked of me since I started showing. People I know, random strangers at Target, the "ballet moms" I've just met, basically anyone who sees me with two little blonde girls in tow.And to be quite honest, this question has always irritated me a little. Because behind the question is the

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-18165174297988090232010-10-31T23:48:00.003-05:002010-10-31T23:56:58.266-05:00

If you're like me, you don't actually visit anyone's blog anymore. You just read all your friends' blogs through Google Reader. This is great for efficiency and up-to-date-ness. This is not so great for commenting on your friends' blogs or seeing things on their blog that aren't in the posts themselves.For example, some of you have recently updated your blogs with some really cute templates and

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-34162887784191564302010-10-30T10:33:00.009-05:002010-10-30T12:24:36.405-05:00

Greetings! We've had a very busy two months - preschool started, Michael traveled 75% of October, planning and executing Halloween festivities . . .Oh, yeah, and I'm 18 weeks pregnant. (And very excited about it, too!) So you've missed first day of school pics, family bowling night, apple picking, Daddy-daughter dates, Halloween decorating . . . You've also missed 2 months of the girls growing up

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-79773785938928792792010-09-02T21:34:00.004-05:002010-09-02T22:34:35.551-05:00

Shaelyn is all girl. Girly-girl. Princesses and sparkles and ballerinas and dresses. She introduces herself as "Princess Shaelyn" and "Ballerina Shaelyn." (Even when we play doctor, she's never "Doctor Shaelyn." She's "Princess Doctor.") She has memorized every song every associated with a princess, ever. She has choreographed her own moves to music from Swan Lake and The Nutcracker and Giselle

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-78088672824976295532010-08-26T20:10:00.003-05:002010-08-26T20:34:28.941-05:00

All the boys in my neighborhood above the age of 8 have pellet guns. Which means all the parents in my neighborhood individually decided that this was a good idea. And that makes me dislike them. (The parents, the kids, and the pellet guns.)This was the big Christmas present last year. And suddenly Michael and I began to find little colored glass beads in our yard, in our driveway, even

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-63276920200634087202010-08-24T20:05:00.003-05:002010-08-24T22:10:57.854-05:00

The girls and I were sick right before our big trek West. The girls got over it in a few days. I remained congested, sniffly, coughing, and miserable for a week and a half. I always bring Clorox wipes with me on planes and wipe down EVERY surface you can possibly think of. So I still did this, even as I put my brand new box of tissues in the seat pouch in front of me and my very own garbage

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-82010426830913210302010-08-01T18:15:00.003-05:002010-08-01T19:41:33.756-05:00

. . . when you're too sick to parent.(To be clear, the girls are sick too. Just obviously not as sick as I am. Or sickness just brings out their destructive side. Who am I kidding?!) We've missed a fun pool playdate, a Saturday night Mommy/Daddy date, and Rachelle's first "Nursery Sunday."Oh, and the majority of the ward got to endure my snotty nose blowing during Sunday School. I'm sure they

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-10756882985669570032010-07-26T12:00:00.000-05:002010-07-26T21:17:24.783-05:00

Well, this has been in my "edit posts" since July 11th. But we're always patriotic around here, so it's fine I'm posting 4th of July stuff on July 26th.Right?!Besides, if Christmas can last the whole month long, why not Independence Day? So what it has "Day" in it's title. I vote for a re-name. "Independence Month." Yep, lets all us slackers off the hook.Since Michael missed the 4th party the

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-58169060423208593272010-07-13T20:07:00.008-05:002010-07-13T21:11:43.714-05:00

Does it count as a "field trip" if it's in your own backyard?After two months of not preparing preschool lessons, this little party was a little overwhelming for me. Let's just say it caused me to pause, pray, and SERIOUSLY consider whether or not I was really going to teach preschool again in the fall. (Don't worry parents - yes, I'll be teaching your children.)But it was fun. And wet and

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-80443740757958004982010-07-11T22:09:00.008-05:002010-07-13T20:07:54.257-05:00

"I want to talk."We have the missionaries from our church over to dinner every week. After dinner, we have a gospel-based discussion, usually with scriptures perched on our laps.Shaelyn has gotten very used to these weekly discussions. Which is why she interrupted us 2 weeks ago and said, "I want to talk."So we all got quiet, and Shaelyn reached over and grabbed Michael's scriptures off his lap

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-6662191341430805352010-06-29T12:30:00.010-05:002010-06-29T13:57:28.279-05:00

Once upon a time, there was a mouse. Her name was Lilly, and she loved to dance. She also loved to dress up like a gypsy and speak with an unexplained Russian accent.Lilly grew up and wanted to pass on her love of dance to other little mice. She opened Miss Lilly's Dance School and started teaching young mice to love dance as well.She had many students - Alice, Penelope, Priscilla, and even

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-27338110512618698142010-06-28T20:26:00.003-05:002010-06-28T21:02:16.991-05:00

"The next item I wish to mention is family home evening. We are fearful that this very important program is fading in too many areas. There is nothing more important than your families. You know that. This program was begun back in 1915, 87 years ago, when President Joseph F. Smith urged the Latter-day Saints to set aside one evening a week devoted specifically to the family. It was to be a

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-19567977989719281092010-06-26T12:42:00.004-05:002010-06-26T13:29:46.943-05:00

Bored? Too hot? Looking for something to do this summer?Get together with your friends and start a "Friday Field Trip" tradition. The possibilities are endless!Let's just say I was drooling over the little "lesson" the kids participated in before we entered the butterfly farm. I took a million mental notes and stashed them away for a future preschool lesson next year. So the field trip was

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-36620023227412918062010-06-20T21:12:00.005-05:002010-06-20T21:43:07.271-05:00

My friend recently turned me on to Pandora. I had been telling her about my husband had bought me a CD of on of my favorite artists (oh, Harry!) but that I was thinking of taking it back."I just don't listen to 'my music' anymore. When do I ever have a chance to? I feel like this CD will just sit around un-listened to."I mean, Disney princess music, musicals, any song from the Children's

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-77226700789558155852010-06-15T20:56:00.005-05:002010-06-15T21:18:12.372-05:00

It's hot.Too hot.It's muggy.Too muggy.It's wet.Too wet.So we do a lot of dancing inside.Luckily, Shaelyn is one killer choreographer.(And Rachelle makes one great corps dancer.) Look out Mia Michaels.

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-51005988828944610392010-06-08T20:54:00.004-05:002010-06-08T21:18:11.412-05:00

A package came today.It was a long, skinny box.Its contents promised to turn my girls into fantastic Junior Keyboard Wizards.They began their training immediately. Thank you, Grandma! We love you!

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-59903124538406223932010-06-01T21:17:00.003-05:002010-06-01T21:39:27.545-05:00

The beach was begging to be strolled. Hand in hand.We patiently waited until the girls were in bed. (Beach bed time - 7:30!! Yay for getting worn out by sand and waves and wind and sun!!)Then we headed out, leaving the slumbering girls behind.(This is why you should always rent a beach house with friends...)By the time we made it down the beach, however, our sunset walk turned in to a moonlit

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-22867356237711260052010-05-28T20:27:00.005-05:002010-05-28T21:50:06.440-05:00

Have I mentioned that my weakness is Target? Because it is. I could buy everything in that store. Even the stuff I don't want. Or even like. It's just that everything is so shiny and colorful and pretty.Try going in there with two little girls who also have a weakness for all things shiny and colorful and pretty.I'm lucky if I can limit myself to $100.As a result, I return at least half of

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-40168410721915273052010-05-13T12:00:00.000-05:002010-05-13T16:44:10.856-05:00

"Mommy, wake up! It's time to go to the talent show!"I have just been bathed, lotioned, had my jammies put on me, my hair combed, read to, sung to, prayed with, and have been asleep for all of 5 seconds.It is now time to make my way over to the "red car" so that I can be strapped into my car seat (man, those things are restrictive!) and driven to the church.The drive takes all of 10 seconds.I

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-13341598047240291142010-05-02T22:12:00.002-05:002010-05-02T22:47:00.097-05:00

I was an English major in college. I chose this major for several reasons, none of which being I actually 1) liked English or literature, or 2) liked writing.My reasons for choosing this major:1) It took the second-least amount of credits to graduate - and since I was trying to graduate in 3 years, this was important to me. 2) I can read really fast. Like ridiculously fast. So having to read 2

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-43718622267026716582010-04-22T20:18:00.003-05:002010-04-22T22:27:49.949-05:00

I built this playhouse 2 years ago. It was the best $10 I ever spent. Other than the front door (which I made red because our actual house has a red door - so I'm sad to see it gone...), it has taken the abuse of several children and still remains intact. Its walls have more "art" on them. Its roof has more dust on it. But it still retains its charm and ability to transport young minds to "

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-23288012116346511412010-04-21T09:29:00.000-05:002010-04-21T22:40:51.070-05:00

I'm tired.Normally, I wouldn't bombard you with 50+ photos of my family, adorable as we are. Unless you are my mother, you just aren't invested in me like that.Normally, I wouldn't make you read through my play-by-play of each photo, telling all about the boring-to-you, exciting-to-us day-to-day details of our lives. Unless you are my mother, you just aren't invested in me like that.Normally, I

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-20077563696425880722010-04-06T22:00:00.002-05:002010-04-06T22:02:57.277-05:00

I know I've been MIA for the last few weeks. I promise I'll update you on all our activities soon. In the meantime, see if you can find me and Michael in this picture from our childhood. (Orlando, Florida - around 1993)

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-54508833349135101922010-04-01T23:32:00.000-05:002010-05-12T23:33:05.568-05:00

Tuesday, April 20thRACHELLE SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HER LIFE LAST NIGHT!!! (8:30 PM TO 8:30 AM)But, because I'm not allowed to ever sleep through the night again myself, Shaelyn woke up and came in our room twice.Other news: Rachelle came down the stairs like a big girl today. Not crawling, WALKING down (holding on to the banister spindles). She made it all the way down this

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-9283719138205309732010-03-20T12:14:00.010-05:002010-03-20T13:12:50.301-05:00

Yes, you, Daylight Savings Time. You can't even have a short little name, like Tom or Sarah either. No, you have to make that difficult, too. And if you think I'm going to keep typing out your entire name for the rest of this post, think again. Look, I'll admit, that I like long summer days. I like sunlight. I like that when my husband gets home from work, there's still enough sunlight to go

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-32432545070713977662010-03-14T21:22:00.005-05:002010-03-14T23:41:50.770-05:00

Five years ago for Christmas, I got Michael an iPod. It was white, shiny, sleek, and expensive.And he loved it.He spent his time playing with it - transferring hundreds of CDs, downloading iTunes, creating playlists, researching new bands, you name it.He took it to work, and drowned out the "office chatter" with his favorite Alterbridge songs.He took it on trips, and relaxed on the plane with

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-84743998508850161222010-03-10T21:25:00.003-05:002010-03-10T22:24:24.547-05:00

At the end of every day, I have to empty my front two pants pockets of their "Mommy contents." And by "Mommy contents," I mean all the stuff I confiscated from Rachelle when I wasn't near a trash can or the items' place in the house. Some days yield very little. Other days, especially days when we are at other people's houses, the park, or the library, my "Mommy contents" are overflowing.

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-83547054063419172452010-03-07T22:23:00.005-05:002010-03-07T23:26:30.447-05:00

"Maybe I should just get up there and start juggling some of the girls' toys."Michael and I were discussing our upcoming entries into our ward talent show. Mine and Shaelyn's entries are a done deal - practiced, polished, perfected. Ok, not perfected. But still, a done deal.Michael, however, is still tweaking his entry. Today he played around with all kinds of options. I was giggling through

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-48523196750006960512010-03-04T00:01:00.000-05:002010-03-04T23:42:39.984-05:00

Once every 4 years, we get to participate in something truly magical. Truly inspiring. Truly historical. Little children watch in wonder and awe, dreaming of future gold. Mothers watch with teary-eyes, inspired by and proud of potentials reached and dreams achieved. Humanity watches and overcomes chasms of hatred and discord, all of God's children coming together to participate in fairness

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-1196704389576183342010-02-28T21:42:00.019-05:002010-03-01T00:53:36.877-05:00

I've been a real Baby Talk slacker. I've gone months without recording the funny things Shaelyn's been saying. And I really regret it. So this month I tried to be really diligent.And then I lost the sticky note I was writing all her funny stuff down on!So here's what I can remember:Shaelyn:Shaelyn learned about resurrection in Primary. Her daddy talked to her about it in the car on the way

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-79599978794673092842010-02-26T23:50:00.007-05:002010-02-27T01:39:37.850-05:00

Maybe you remember my post about technology - you know, about how much I hate it. Or at least how inept I am at it. And one of my main beefs? You Tube. Specifically how people waste their time on it. I questioned it's usefulness in our society. I mean, other than being able to share parts of your life with family who lives far away, what other worthwhile purpose is there for its existence?

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-73082396319907117002010-02-18T19:42:00.007-05:002010-02-18T21:24:57.570-05:00

10 years ago, as a little freshman at BYU, I went on a double date with my future husband, his favorite mission companion, and the mission companion's date. Michael and I had been dating for a few months and were pretty comfortable with each other. But I was nervous about this date. Because I would be the youngest there, by far. And all the rest of the company were returned missionaries who

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-62759867843211364482010-02-14T22:19:00.004-05:002010-02-14T23:29:32.100-05:00

I'm not a romantic person. Far from it, actually. I don't write sonnets or love-dovey love notes. I don't expect them in return, either. I'm not really into public displays of affection. They make me a little uncomfortable. I definitely don't like talking about how much I love Michael - to anyone but him, of course. I even squirm a little when I read on my friends' blogs about how in love

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-24337864376223428822010-02-11T16:47:00.009-05:002010-02-11T17:15:13.065-05:00

When you run a preschool out of your house, there are just some things that are inevitable.You will always have finger prints everywhere. On everything.Your family room will always look like a 3-year-old decorated it.Your household chores, which you were never good at completing before, will come to an utter stand-still.You will find the oddest things in the strangest places - like your makeup

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-17686988212676868022010-02-05T19:39:00.005-05:002010-02-05T20:13:36.740-05:00

"Mommy, will you play princesses with me and talk to them?"They have their own cliques.I hear this at least 10 times a day. Those princesses (purchased at Target for $9.99) are the best thing anyone has ever bought this child. They provide hours of entertainment. They have all kinds of adventures. They sing every song imaginable. They act out every episode of every TV show she has ever seen,

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-19563599768308660732010-02-03T22:02:00.003-05:002010-02-03T22:55:39.471-05:00

Today was a really great day. Yes, I stayed up late watching LOST (all 10 hours, as Grapefruit put it), but Rachelle slept through the night, and when Shaelyn woke up for the day at 5:30, Michael got up with her. So by the time I rolled out of bed at 7:30, I was feeling quite rested and happy.Which is a good thing, because Tuesday morning I woke up quite grumpy after a night of back-and-forth

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-31575186831230901212010-02-02T15:49:00.003-05:002010-02-02T16:05:40.355-05:00

Tonight. Are you ready? The whole world's going to be watching. The whole world, I tell you!Ok, I know it's tonight, so by the time you read this, you may have already seen the first episode. But what I want to know is your predictions for the season.Specifically these predictions:Who's going to die?Who's going to have a happy ending?Who's going to have the saddest ending?Who's going to end

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-3924406086282770232010-01-30T18:47:00.012-05:002010-01-30T20:57:30.704-05:00

Please tell me you know that line. Steve Buscemi? The Wedding Singer? It's one of my all-time favorites. Lines, that is.This year I was pretty bummed that I didn't do much to celebrate Rachelle's first birthday. I know, I know - she won't remember it. But I did so much for Shaelyn's, it made me feel like things weren't quite equal. I know, I know - Shaelyn was my first and therefore I had

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-5991558565611223012010-01-29T20:55:00.002-05:002010-01-29T21:16:27.730-05:00

I think first birthdays are the hardest for every mom. Don't you? Well, maybe 16 is hard. But I'm not there yet. I'm surrounded by young mothers with young children, all having faced, or soon facing, first birthdays with their little ones. They're met with a mixture of emotions. Happiness over the milestone. Excitement over the planning - the cake, the presents, the pictures. But mainly,

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-36089626578679335952010-01-24T21:28:00.006-05:002010-01-24T22:32:34.050-05:00

When Michael and I moved to North Carolina almost 7 years ago, I was friendless, jobless, homeless (well, almost - but that's another story), but not hopeless. I was excited for this new adventure in our lives, for what the future would hold, for what we do and accomplish here.On this list:*Michael getting his MBA (the reason we moved here in the first place)*Shelley getting her law degree (not

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-65608860649767415822010-01-21T20:48:00.003-05:002010-01-21T21:21:44.172-05:00

"Mommy, will you blog about me tonight? You've been talking so much about sister, I'm afraid no one is going is going to remember that I exist!"I just love these nightly conversations I get to have with Rachelle while she's nursing. They're so sweet and reassuring. And her little voice is just so adorable.You know what other mind-blowing, genius thing Rachelle did today?While watching "Circle

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-55481348313339878692010-01-20T11:03:00.004-05:002010-01-20T12:22:31.355-05:00

"No Mommy! I do it! Myself!"Is this a phrase you hear 500,000 times a day, like me? Are you constantly finding yourself in the midst of tantrums, screaming battles, a myriad of contradictions, and lots and lots of "nervous rules*?"*meaning you are terrified to say, do, look at, or make mention of the wrong thing for fear of causing a chain reaction of atomic behavior from which the family will

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-76112695052201256262010-01-17T17:28:00.002-05:002010-01-17T21:27:26.196-05:00

The other day I was out with a girlfriend talking about a movie we had both recently seen. I was asking her opinion of it, mentioning that she hadn't written anything about it on her blog, which was so unlike her. She answered by saying, "Well, I updated my Facebook page to say..."Is this what it's come to? Facebook?! This time last year, I was having a hard time keeping current with my

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-67630154594355215752010-01-15T20:05:00.003-05:002010-01-15T21:09:27.295-05:00

I have a bunch of stay-at-home-mom friends who somehow have found ways to make a little money on the side. Some do the traditional Mary Kay, Avon, candles, educational toys, whatever. Others work at dance studios or cheer gyms or beauty salons after their husbands get home from work. And some, and I would dare say this is the majority, have found a way to make a buck with their creative

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-5549458606632851082010-01-12T19:19:00.002-05:002010-01-12T19:57:56.989-05:00

"Wanna play pretend with me?"Looking to capitalize on a napping baby sister, Shaelyn approached me with wide blue eyes and a doctor's kit in hand. "You be Shaelyn, and I'll be Mommy, OK?"I guess "Mommy" is also a doctor, because pretty soon I was being administered a shot. Wanting to put on a brave face, I grimaced, but immediately smiled. "No, Shaelyn. You're supposed to cry."Yet another shot

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-19538797119912096682010-01-10T22:35:00.004-05:002010-01-10T22:57:30.446-05:00

The first Sunday of a new year seems to be buzzing with excitement. At least for me. New curriculum. New manuals. New meeting times (well, not for us - we'll be at 9:00 AM forever).And sometimes new teachers.I was so excited for Shaelyn to go to her first Sunday of Primary. I knew she would love it. Singing Time. Sharing Time. Tiny chairs. Kids talking into microphones. I knew she would

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-80652394592636417112010-01-09T14:50:00.001-05:002010-01-09T14:53:19.278-05:00

... not yet, anyway(Disclaimer: I found this image on Google Images when searching for something else. I do not know these kids.)

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-33503046183196017862010-01-06T00:14:00.003-05:002010-01-06T00:31:26.862-05:00

Last year I set a goal to blog twice a week. That's it. Just write a post. Achieving that goal would mean I would write 104 posts in the year.So tonight I counted how many I actually achieved. And drum roll please...119!I'm pretty excited. I'm hoping to keep it up this year. Maybe even a little bit more. Because I heart blogging. And here's why:* Let's just state the obvious. It keeps me

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-81161682649818692962010-01-01T21:26:00.001-05:002010-01-31T22:20:21.793-05:00

JanuarySherlock Holmes * * * * *I really loved this movie. I mean really loved it. It is possible that I only loved it because it was the first even halfway decent movie Michael and I have seen in a long time, but I don't think so. The writing is really good - Michael and I found ourselves laughing several times. The plot is good - keeps you engaged and guessing. The story is good - no loose

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2996176524350021177.post-47032938769992752852010-01-01T00:30:00.004-05:002010-01-25T20:29:44.537-05:00

Tuesday, January 5thI'm back! Let's see how I do this month...Today I realized that Rachelle is growing a mullet. It is seriously getting much longer in the back than in the front. So I decided to put her hair in pigtails, this time down at the nape of her neck instead of little bug antenna at the top of her head. A few hours later, I notice that one piggy has just been pulled out - elastic band

shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12515575708362710241noreply@blogger.com