tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67459694896742787812024-03-14T08:32:16.103-07:00McKenney Moments{Here a few, there a few....}Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.comBlogger213125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745969489674278781.post-48201087094709255912013-12-30T06:13:00.000-08:002013-12-30T06:13:29.631-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Saying it's been a while would be an understatement, at best! That boy I posted about in my last post in 2010 no longer exists. I don't know where he went. This new boy, also named Tyler, hasn't lived at home for 2 years & has a different view of the world. Drugs are good. Sex is good, when he can find it. Stealing is good. Jail is bad, but that doesn't seem to keep him from finding his way back there, over & over.<br />
<br />
Overall, life is very different in 2013.<br />
<br />
As we are very near to 2014, I felt I should document where we are today.<br />
<br />
This is Tyler today: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-W2FL95Sn2E3A0Q-shyphenhyphenUBoj5jvRiUfC5j7TkieTa5MO_0JKajK2-bwlnKi1GuoPIRDllS3H5uRVrlwC6xcerkf1NWGULLtMQpTKFT9JkAeXh1UP1GvgVfhy_dxjq9iXNpVjPeBgbI7A/s1600/tyler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-W2FL95Sn2E3A0Q-shyphenhyphenUBoj5jvRiUfC5j7TkieTa5MO_0JKajK2-bwlnKi1GuoPIRDllS3H5uRVrlwC6xcerkf1NWGULLtMQpTKFT9JkAeXh1UP1GvgVfhy_dxjq9iXNpVjPeBgbI7A/s320/tyler.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
I don't really have any current pictures of him of my own, so I had to steal this off his Facebook page.<br />
<br />
This boy is often sullen & angry. He likes to pierce various body parts. He cuts himself sometimes. The last time he did that (that I know of) he wound up in a mental hospital for about a week.<br />
<br />
He was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder while he was at JobCorps, but refuses to believe he needs to take any medications to help with the wildly swinging mood he (& those around him) deal with daily.<br />
<br />
He has chosen a hard road to walk, this child of mine. Sometimes I get a glimpse of the child I used to know. That makes it particularly hard when he does something that is so very not like the child I used to know.<br />
<br />
This is his last week of freedom, unless he chooses to try & hide from police again. The last time he tried to run away from his problems, the police caught him a mere few hours before he was to board a bus that would take him across the country, to the coast. He has a court date later this week that, if he goes to, will put him back in jail. If he doesn't go, when they do find him, he will go back to jail for even longer.<br />
<br />
I'm often sad for this boy of mine, whom I don't know anymore. I have to frequently remind myself that his choices are not mine. I didn't make them, therefore I cannot unmake them. I made this person, yet I do not choose for him. Sometimes I wish I could choose for him, like I did when he was little, but I realize that means I would be going against one of the gifts God gave to us; free will.<br />
<br />
I pray for this happy, sad, lonely, angry, enthusiastic, willful boy. I hope the roads he chooses in the future will not be so rough as the ones he's chosen.<br />
<br />
I miss my child. Every day. This new person doesn't have much to do with me anymore. This is a strange mix of sad relief for me.</div>
Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745969489674278781.post-1196370562482526332010-09-23T17:25:00.000-07:002010-09-23T17:44:06.593-07:00Sweet 16!August 26, 2010, Tyler turned 16 & I officially will now be known as his sister. I'm not old enough to have a 16 year old, I've decided.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FcW5KorZL7n4VgZYwojtqVx_y-IPy421t09UDVvlwtntFMw8SnCdaNpZbF-sB8ydASNtpz8yQay0PDkcIJtDn6ay7yiN2X1T14C8cO2MXgCmuVTE_E5TQkP7dKVe6x_FE9NHpyg9NQU/s1600/059.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520272767978883314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FcW5KorZL7n4VgZYwojtqVx_y-IPy421t09UDVvlwtntFMw8SnCdaNpZbF-sB8ydASNtpz8yQay0PDkcIJtDn6ay7yiN2X1T14C8cO2MXgCmuVTE_E5TQkP7dKVe6x_FE9NHpyg9NQU/s400/059.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjEU2JHGv6fXNLzbj9VL21bzPtY4uDZrTcVeHU_7Oj-GFz1GA5nDVaTohqWNryJ5AZh5DuClwrEm52NXJLSwLyx19rUVWk662H9ZbqUsOKWlpKuxZKnb6mheGwgpJDB0qUIf1lEOykCw/s1600/057.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520272756330258114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjEU2JHGv6fXNLzbj9VL21bzPtY4uDZrTcVeHU_7Oj-GFz1GA5nDVaTohqWNryJ5AZh5DuClwrEm52NXJLSwLyx19rUVWk662H9ZbqUsOKWlpKuxZKnb6mheGwgpJDB0qUIf1lEOykCw/s400/057.JPG" /></a> He made the football team, we went on a quick vacation before school started to celebrate everyones birthday's with my family in Kansas, & he was cut from the team for missing 2 days of practice. He was disappointed, but I think slightly relieved. It was a lot harder work than he thought it would be, that's for sure!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDu65jlgGlIUy5vlhR4Q6PFfMIP4a4LPo6xV0-voEy1RuRPyJ7tkhHCgl2v1y-9pFoM3xj8XToUlXNImBLdnjfjYF_YASOIJPTAbTLaZ1-dq_THoapltOhuDXhiY4PxMDyPY5rcP2Hlio/s1600/052.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520272753235994994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDu65jlgGlIUy5vlhR4Q6PFfMIP4a4LPo6xV0-voEy1RuRPyJ7tkhHCgl2v1y-9pFoM3xj8XToUlXNImBLdnjfjYF_YASOIJPTAbTLaZ1-dq_THoapltOhuDXhiY4PxMDyPY5rcP2Hlio/s400/052.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pqVIWkTxIkJrn7i6N9FgMto65THFthURMiAUrZm1hEHl7VF0cOyXJAek6G9M3N4yC0k5WxkUBxsdmPjUq8hQd2N5854P7k-IHAVtGPufvBuFW-a5SvNs8ZOvSno2luLZG89q55HbLVY/s1600/034.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520272744702795330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pqVIWkTxIkJrn7i6N9FgMto65THFthURMiAUrZm1hEHl7VF0cOyXJAek6G9M3N4yC0k5WxkUBxsdmPjUq8hQd2N5854P7k-IHAVtGPufvBuFW-a5SvNs8ZOvSno2luLZG89q55HbLVY/s400/034.JPG" /></a> He's still very much a kid at heart. He might be a near-giant, but he's still my first baby. :)<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkn25EgoNzVBKbh9UFKPhytAZA5U4P-pUySN6Yvgo9lJ9J_pivTcJYl-fsbJA3iggZkzS3-kiyGJDSXj1q8uIpvtAqdcb2pUwGrJMlNMIVvPku7dDq4CYbdbxp4lJJswzBue0xLqnhyphenhyphenFg/s1600/016.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520272742820097234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkn25EgoNzVBKbh9UFKPhytAZA5U4P-pUySN6Yvgo9lJ9J_pivTcJYl-fsbJA3iggZkzS3-kiyGJDSXj1q8uIpvtAqdcb2pUwGrJMlNMIVvPku7dDq4CYbdbxp4lJJswzBue0xLqnhyphenhyphenFg/s400/016.JPG" /></a>He loves to torment me with things like the skin of the copperhead snakes that came in to their camp site. Love this kid! </div></div></div>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745969489674278781.post-29750974420248020312010-09-23T16:23:00.000-07:002010-09-23T17:25:49.634-07:00Jordan Gets Baptized!Sounds like a great name for a book. Maybe a future joint venture for Jo & I? His new love is writing & I'm not terrible at illustrations, so maybe... <div> </div><div>I'm so far behind in the blogging world, I don't know if I'll ever catch up! I guess I'll start with the recent baptism of Jordan.</div><div><br />We were able to have a few family members come to town for the big day, which was really nice. Both my parents, Dave's mom, & my younger brother Grant (just got home from a mission in the Phillipines) came out to witness the special occassion. </div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWkrFyERApyn_pdEDnWojjhyphenhyphenijrj44cekfyybFC_lKGFQMivODfpTwYldwr_M46uui6-zxeMDsrCqXq7f5yaqaMmV1EOcqLzIlxR22EC5b-pSUKk38A3h0kgajB9CgiZeRj9VkS1sFEg/s1600/IMGP0623.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520263234208857698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWkrFyERApyn_pdEDnWojjhyphenhyphenijrj44cekfyybFC_lKGFQMivODfpTwYldwr_M46uui6-zxeMDsrCqXq7f5yaqaMmV1EOcqLzIlxR22EC5b-pSUKk38A3h0kgajB9CgiZeRj9VkS1sFEg/s400/IMGP0623.JPG" /><br /><p align="center"></a></p><span style="font-size:85%;">Jordan, waiting for the font to fill with water.</span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520266816707735010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7idRmf4jYKYqum0DcRrDM-Blwg8D63eFbgQ_TNrYqL1mMoQQXDFH7UL15IdaRTPE0B7PO1Wl7kiEL-rZ8HdiO20TIi7vdlSi2i-iUTbhYvT3nVkqmgFByNwahUQ5d4RV7bGMEa1IQUs/s400/IMGP0610_edited-1.JPG" /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">My Mom, Dad, & Ty</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520266813890371474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMitf9IlYRLXql6e_qGQG8zlo-6Njoi8bL2cwLq6VGtCRgzBio6Uvqs9DDo8c1GavZxIpS79TbNQnpCxb6uEI4BLn0I5OnTHdEjeenAQk6O74bdkeUJhk8tEYK-OhP6ssL4JNqlheU3wU/s400/IMGP0614.JPG" /><span style="font-size:85%;">Dave & Logan, who looks like he's devising a plan of sorts.</span><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPGXxyDIDnVFLU10f_cg9vPdp-WOqOcuqxbUvaigOJ23SzIKCs37sp12rtyt32bkrun4tEZLmffM4hM87vrabIefudifsNdId2vJx9vVnohB75_1onUn6Vlo4wHXkJ1dRV2D1ftHvVOA/s1600/IMGP0619.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520263228220562402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPGXxyDIDnVFLU10f_cg9vPdp-WOqOcuqxbUvaigOJ23SzIKCs37sp12rtyt32bkrun4tEZLmffM4hM87vrabIefudifsNdId2vJx9vVnohB75_1onUn6Vlo4wHXkJ1dRV2D1ftHvVOA/s400/IMGP0619.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Ty & Grant, goofing off.</span></div><div align="center"><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkp1vuFY-BgYQ2EV9x0t238XHtJwU5DgMJCGGJhqmhzcvzClLVYE2QccdgVGOFwiZetGf1NZYMh81dAVyFh6eAEzQMvy9PJe3rnBZMkBq3059BYQsu_7B_g2rQRvsoGsHC4GQxuyvEo5A/s1600/IMGP0618.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520263225141858706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkp1vuFY-BgYQ2EV9x0t238XHtJwU5DgMJCGGJhqmhzcvzClLVYE2QccdgVGOFwiZetGf1NZYMh81dAVyFh6eAEzQMvy9PJe3rnBZMkBq3059BYQsu_7B_g2rQRvsoGsHC4GQxuyvEo5A/s400/IMGP0618.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Jojo & Daddo (as Jo used to call him)</span></div><div align="center"> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B_IoGrRwCdNhylru_NGhyphenhyphenMy52Abyo_lT4VqH5kbGkPb7FJOJ1DozUd9GNwP0TSyBJRvi2Ngs8ta7vRA2zz4KypEHafeoshcl7pJ0h51Q2Ii9rD4zYbqZvpufMS8p7z7sws44k7oVwl0/s1600/IMGP0616.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520263214659630066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B_IoGrRwCdNhylru_NGhyphenhyphenMy52Abyo_lT4VqH5kbGkPb7FJOJ1DozUd9GNwP0TSyBJRvi2Ngs8ta7vRA2zz4KypEHafeoshcl7pJ0h51Q2Ii9rD4zYbqZvpufMS8p7z7sws44k7oVwl0/s400/IMGP0616.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Just before the baptism.</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhD4vBUIURU7xx85TWLp3uYxXMXChSjSYFhKWCtA2DLNhCvrs0MjOIVT26uzJvIcOWEMw1wj8PQYcWOjGHojaeiXOi9Rrr6XFpah9TY-sMzhN-Ua7eE0I4nOcuz1jxbyeOMafEFqSO-VI/s1600/IMGP0613.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520260348459378722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhD4vBUIURU7xx85TWLp3uYxXMXChSjSYFhKWCtA2DLNhCvrs0MjOIVT26uzJvIcOWEMw1wj8PQYcWOjGHojaeiXOi9Rrr6XFpah9TY-sMzhN-Ua7eE0I4nOcuz1jxbyeOMafEFqSO-VI/s400/IMGP0613.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Amazingly, I captured a true Logan-look. He's totally a Mikey & that grin proves it!</span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Lxso_nh0wMniLgc93aSLCpWQVwr3UCcmn7OnkMinlCHlYYImw2XmEuNlGcGD40fqkSeFxoFIDHR3V_tmeXPHVgYzTY68geUkPkPAbURDCQNBbzLDh-aZp5szhbVWGISgQ_RJbE89emk/s1600/IMGP0609_edited-1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520260340280910642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Lxso_nh0wMniLgc93aSLCpWQVwr3UCcmn7OnkMinlCHlYYImw2XmEuNlGcGD40fqkSeFxoFIDHR3V_tmeXPHVgYzTY68geUkPkPAbURDCQNBbzLDh-aZp5szhbVWGISgQ_RJbE89emk/s400/IMGP0609_edited-1.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> Dave & my Dad goofing off. Nice grills!</span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2UFrF1lIZCbiAsc5IWa1TRNsNB3Cwr_f2fQef6iV7POzQSsuk-wK7-07taZQuqv3duFt41H8zqG-xy0z4HgkcXU9UEJuF2H5dlB3sXZZNxRp86r6hSkqMA6CNVO6S6v0DLs5IhRc4e8/s1600/IMGP0608_edited-1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520260329403546274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2UFrF1lIZCbiAsc5IWa1TRNsNB3Cwr_f2fQef6iV7POzQSsuk-wK7-07taZQuqv3duFt41H8zqG-xy0z4HgkcXU9UEJuF2H5dlB3sXZZNxRp86r6hSkqMA6CNVO6S6v0DLs5IhRc4e8/s400/IMGP0608_edited-1.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Watching the water rise.</span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMcbedQ8clLZdcOg2kqe_IoKWALIge3WM88IrY3eKBgrhKlp6bHeIxv4GCEyL5l-tQjo2Yn-I91HrZCICssN0OZhC0U-do-ofmaK8jdxq4WQbEVgzNLOHri9i45pvv_gmOjhjr_G2bX_8/s1600/IMGP0604_edited-1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520256872637736338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMcbedQ8clLZdcOg2kqe_IoKWALIge3WM88IrY3eKBgrhKlp6bHeIxv4GCEyL5l-tQjo2Yn-I91HrZCICssN0OZhC0U-do-ofmaK8jdxq4WQbEVgzNLOHri9i45pvv_gmOjhjr_G2bX_8/s400/IMGP0604_edited-1.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> So handsome in his Sunday best!</span></div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39OPWqvdW4FOSSxugYG-kp93FIUGcIcnENQBwWO3KlN3rqISvPhxdUlI8bupY7n-cakobiJYU_T1QEpAZpR5lPWMuBOHluSNlyPpupj5NffXds4Yvc14Snk7TioDOfkycXWwtQTozxgM/s1600/IMGP0603.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520256865810082242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39OPWqvdW4FOSSxugYG-kp93FIUGcIcnENQBwWO3KlN3rqISvPhxdUlI8bupY7n-cakobiJYU_T1QEpAZpR5lPWMuBOHluSNlyPpupj5NffXds4Yvc14Snk7TioDOfkycXWwtQTozxgM/s400/IMGP0603.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Jojo & his Yaya (Dave's mom)</span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxaaOpzxc_whMQ4_RIYsQqcvXr2KmHJQBOiczai63XbtpZdK2NBem7YI-CGobfF0ULoKgVSWYOZ87co5v40X0xi5MlbnAsWH56Pa4iOtuol_1BGoNWGp-STM0LGTOs6pdPm-Wef-ZoVs/s1600/IMGP0602_edited-1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520256858616944498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxaaOpzxc_whMQ4_RIYsQqcvXr2KmHJQBOiczai63XbtpZdK2NBem7YI-CGobfF0ULoKgVSWYOZ87co5v40X0xi5MlbnAsWH56Pa4iOtuol_1BGoNWGp-STM0LGTOs6pdPm-Wef-ZoVs/s400/IMGP0602_edited-1.JPG" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Jo, with the honored mom. :)</span><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckwMN0UsF9-zQ-XarWRZlJBjDuYL6BIge1XISU2DjCAPkP00zMpD6taBSkykms4KxGTaZ6eetxFSITw6rAPtL2YaXtK3CwD95AOY6edPwouO0NJgktK2cMBjnXN6gO4xS1RUDOiTTSmk/s1600/IMGP0600_edited-1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520256849283526450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckwMN0UsF9-zQ-XarWRZlJBjDuYL6BIge1XISU2DjCAPkP00zMpD6taBSkykms4KxGTaZ6eetxFSITw6rAPtL2YaXtK3CwD95AOY6edPwouO0NJgktK2cMBjnXN6gO4xS1RUDOiTTSmk/s400/IMGP0600_edited-1.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Proud parents. :)</span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ddS6Sm5jc8j4hVIhAmnya7RFguGmkckzlKwjyPoWA7IF-fBnXt6EPepV3aOyzJMKORkk-yxgj_hhPzJnqlTBRDlAEFXmaciG01XCo1gZMrfSF_sSJCU52I6Rb1Ij6EHVg8iuZFJJAfQ/s1600/IMGP0599_edited-1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520256843320754530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ddS6Sm5jc8j4hVIhAmnya7RFguGmkckzlKwjyPoWA7IF-fBnXt6EPepV3aOyzJMKORkk-yxgj_hhPzJnqlTBRDlAEFXmaciG01XCo1gZMrfSF_sSJCU52I6Rb1Ij6EHVg8iuZFJJAfQ/s400/IMGP0599_edited-1.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">My Mom, Dad, & Jordan.</span><br /><div> </div><div align="left">On August 31, 2010, Jordan was officially baptized & confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I'm so proud of him for making the decision to join the true church of Christ! </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Jordan's thrilled to be able to go to Scouts, finally. He's been looking forward to it for some time now & it couldn't have come soon enough!</div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div></div>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745969489674278781.post-38245573350962113252010-07-29T13:53:00.001-07:002010-07-29T14:20:00.132-07:00New Toy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNBbopiHKLCEwmfNVUOHNlHeS5kIkWi_MsmjKhNdC5kg5LqDsIpZSmwFq9rYcwOX4UAfMmFMNm5tFnwhLR3AvFG8izMqzYM9gBnaZ03uD61sHXgBVeDt1muLduJX55s8X_cLY3m83ryg/s1600/061.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499437435530923474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNBbopiHKLCEwmfNVUOHNlHeS5kIkWi_MsmjKhNdC5kg5LqDsIpZSmwFq9rYcwOX4UAfMmFMNm5tFnwhLR3AvFG8izMqzYM9gBnaZ03uD61sHXgBVeDt1muLduJX55s8X_cLY3m83ryg/s400/061.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYJ5eSQXFxhP2ao7SFkyGUhM-7Qsyal120K0zJttYN95TUEmuo6MiKuW5EiHzoKZx9-HuA9nGFwEMeVQxreJKpF7dr0_W6z5P4G3uqs3cygJ4h2chWF_6w4CeZaP8LZx3TxAN2Jz5Vkw/s1600/059.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499437427769300706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYJ5eSQXFxhP2ao7SFkyGUhM-7Qsyal120K0zJttYN95TUEmuo6MiKuW5EiHzoKZx9-HuA9nGFwEMeVQxreJKpF7dr0_W6z5P4G3uqs3cygJ4h2chWF_6w4CeZaP8LZx3TxAN2Jz5Vkw/s400/059.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXPoZ_4C4-cF8s295bi6_ZQaqIn400O2OeqIN5sw-wty6tMM1cKL1mP0gXGAadKL_coQkFCDMR2Nz2NQvq8BGQ6TBH9Lh_nXZ9ckPzFXFh7fE6soUKvRMKX7LacKv92o9QnbVLHN0j7w/s1600/058_edited-1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499437419655613042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXPoZ_4C4-cF8s295bi6_ZQaqIn400O2OeqIN5sw-wty6tMM1cKL1mP0gXGAadKL_coQkFCDMR2Nz2NQvq8BGQ6TBH9Lh_nXZ9ckPzFXFh7fE6soUKvRMKX7LacKv92o9QnbVLHN0j7w/s400/058_edited-1.JPG" /></a><br />I think it's true love. ;)</div></div>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745969489674278781.post-52239193432992845922010-07-27T18:38:00.000-07:002010-07-27T18:47:23.077-07:00Soopah-MAN!!<div align="center">Or Spiderman.</div><div align="center">Or both.<br /></div><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498766732289017394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6XLG6pXRzPHLEmN3t5e79hmKUVA7RuWyZ-EPmOnVWhUUxZGIFyzGGkDYC6aQblP4zIPf_wGD6HcXuFFXlr63QJzhTWDZVP3zuPrfGQuBXZFQQ8x-RPTL6TO_bVK00KnDumen4MOkk3g/s400/IMGP0287.JPG" /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHc8RqyFfQfX-cZuFVKA0gFSRPwD_N0eT9bVkzmQeb52_oYStth91GvjphxJ7BT_7C6Qa6wZMvQxBsQLY4w_-wBRpg_8b281dD_nYmLT55pbsAj5T7IZ3WhD-uTFdHeIZjtsoG4ySgyN0/s1600/IMGP0289.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498766741110719890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHc8RqyFfQfX-cZuFVKA0gFSRPwD_N0eT9bVkzmQeb52_oYStth91GvjphxJ7BT_7C6Qa6wZMvQxBsQLY4w_-wBRpg_8b281dD_nYmLT55pbsAj5T7IZ3WhD-uTFdHeIZjtsoG4ySgyN0/s400/IMGP0289.JPG" /></a></p><p> </p><p> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498766746976327266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8L9WcOjVThUcrEBvMecQz1AJK6v7Bg4_3elwO4X4nX08fPl_SfSKhcNx4ey4oeKlppbRyPr5Gg-35wnK6U_gZvn_mClO_IuK0QSXfnSE9iCGi9J6pi4hk-mGFCeY1dcGGSBXbAa_eU0/s400/IMGP0293.JPG" /><br /></p><div align="center">Logan is forever dressing up in one costume or another. Thanks to his Mimi & her mad bargaining skills at garage sales, he has a plethora of costumes to choose from. His favorite, by far, is the black Spiderman.<br /><br />It never hurts to mix & match, though.</div>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745969489674278781.post-57455969836385653052010-07-27T18:11:00.001-07:002010-07-27T19:02:06.864-07:00Little Poser<div align="center">Ever since she was about 6 months old, whenever a camera is present, Hayleah is a total ham. It started off with majorly, toothless, cheesy, sloppy grins, & has evolved in to posing. I adore this little princess! She has such a strong sense of fashion & is frequently in trouble for changing in to yet another outfit (I'm not a fan of extra laundry). Head bands are strictly for the forehead, according to Hayleah. And pink boots will NEVER go out of style!<br /><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiTECxP-SDC86Bw0nigj8dOBLuY4IKNKgxB10lmtkuwiNmXTRQv7sswPYMSH7vkIfVSIN1Xu-7ftVL-ZeAJfXY62nL0dcKnEPsgF8YBZL3yrtLgGEA-hSLsTLEHvk7uqHPeR-dNldvZ4/s1600/IMGP0299.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498763419871267778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiTECxP-SDC86Bw0nigj8dOBLuY4IKNKgxB10lmtkuwiNmXTRQv7sswPYMSH7vkIfVSIN1Xu-7ftVL-ZeAJfXY62nL0dcKnEPsgF8YBZL3yrtLgGEA-hSLsTLEHvk7uqHPeR-dNldvZ4/s400/IMGP0299.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6ZI8R4XtMAz4XPGOwkz9ZdQlX7l0zpXUcjLbrKKw3gzZLSBE8Aj31wG5bsTc_PdSRrt_vaUd8Rsd9mD8jtTLVfohkqrR-JXTZk0-q88EoeSG8pt5wdKI9ayToGd5ePpsGfsE1KzIINA/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498761065955309554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6ZI8R4XtMAz4XPGOwkz9ZdQlX7l0zpXUcjLbrKKw3gzZLSBE8Aj31wG5bsTc_PdSRrt_vaUd8Rsd9mD8jtTLVfohkqrR-JXTZk0-q88EoeSG8pt5wdKI9ayToGd5ePpsGfsE1KzIINA/s400/002.JPG" /></a>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745969489674278781.post-29815348826176259692010-07-24T16:38:00.000-07:002010-07-24T17:16:58.903-07:00MIA<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYJ-wpZnrZPg_OCxOn1jrR6aYLXz12jTzwEABihlIU46VQzorncVSBerLo2WeVla4LTC8sRRfAqlR_drQYPLQnH_eww9TS-CjMAf4rH5H2MDrU8MrOQB-fvjfxOccACH-P1Rcg1wvsHs/s1600/013.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497630659919424962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYJ-wpZnrZPg_OCxOn1jrR6aYLXz12jTzwEABihlIU46VQzorncVSBerLo2WeVla4LTC8sRRfAqlR_drQYPLQnH_eww9TS-CjMAf4rH5H2MDrU8MrOQB-fvjfxOccACH-P1Rcg1wvsHs/s400/013.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IHzXQO46oz8iudknp1TKOr_SBLqKdbZVYbdbY4-lr30DfEBBcYfMUFe4_HskZnRkRXPxEtgRwa2uUawHi98JzMm7CFGeNmiJJkat44R2ceB4peZ-z7IqAHuu1W8gqgzHKFacbrsOIb0/s1600/014.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497630655442025170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IHzXQO46oz8iudknp1TKOr_SBLqKdbZVYbdbY4-lr30DfEBBcYfMUFe4_HskZnRkRXPxEtgRwa2uUawHi98JzMm7CFGeNmiJJkat44R2ceB4peZ-z7IqAHuu1W8gqgzHKFacbrsOIb0/s400/014.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4z8ud6hn92nScXDUJUY_JmRPZWPhxvTrodIX-JzZqG39re-uOKEUgY9srmdfw4MhwdwNreSxRH-TgenjLjG_Yrn7rQU1P1f8WIKwujtwJUV1JYqfNmhmJkIgEmRZggDZqSqz9K5yvcIE/s1600/017.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497630648805415650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4z8ud6hn92nScXDUJUY_JmRPZWPhxvTrodIX-JzZqG39re-uOKEUgY9srmdfw4MhwdwNreSxRH-TgenjLjG_Yrn7rQU1P1f8WIKwujtwJUV1JYqfNmhmJkIgEmRZggDZqSqz9K5yvcIE/s400/017.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88XBC5maWchJzxYyVQeP6GqQVg3pCXVwnxdX337eFSFjFWVn4vGQWp0TBMY70vP1tbujgGEa08NWCKGOfmd2Hvael-N6IhXnSeocCYyVsoFbqIb7XSg0TiopNGLwnH5RQIhCTTcsLc78/s1600/013.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497630644053938018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg88XBC5maWchJzxYyVQeP6GqQVg3pCXVwnxdX337eFSFjFWVn4vGQWp0TBMY70vP1tbujgGEa08NWCKGOfmd2Hvael-N6IhXnSeocCYyVsoFbqIb7XSg0TiopNGLwnH5RQIhCTTcsLc78/s400/013.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KPgpBnG0nIkBSvy_qDAc-BUsLf6x45gaIXu10YfIEB_qwr1xxRDJPnc7oW4ErYF1DOtnMaZCl-6Doeoa3vfUcAYtW-kJ0WbCSCWknR2dH7ln2MTS41EGpwUrkGa659HWKQTVsxxVJ2E/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497630639939988306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KPgpBnG0nIkBSvy_qDAc-BUsLf6x45gaIXu10YfIEB_qwr1xxRDJPnc7oW4ErYF1DOtnMaZCl-6Doeoa3vfUcAYtW-kJ0WbCSCWknR2dH7ln2MTS41EGpwUrkGa659HWKQTVsxxVJ2E/s400/009.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div>I intend to try to get back to the blogging world a bit more frequently. We've been crazy busy lately with a move that took us by storm.</div><div></div><div>About a month ago, an old friend & boss of Dave's called to see how we were doing & to let us know he was just promoted to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">management</span> at the Wyndham in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Branson</span>, Missouri. He wanted Dave to come out & work for him, so he offered to fly him out there after dangling a particular juicy carrot in front of his face. It was more of a carrot for me than it was for Dave. He dropped in the little detail that he looked up how long a drive to Derby, Kansas was & that it was a mere 5 hours from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Branson</span>. I grew up in Derby & most of my family is still there, so the idea of being closer to them for the first time in 9+ years was more than tempting.</div><br /><div>When Dave told me about their conversation, I cried. I was mad at Jared (Dave's friend) for the tease & the reminder of the fact that I missed being near my family. Until that time, I never thought I was unhappy in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Las</span> Vegas, & now that little bubble had been burst. I wasn't about to be unhappy living in Vegas if that's the only place I was going to live in for some time. I'm not in to making myself miserable (mostly), so I've never even entertained the idea of living closer to my parents & brothers & sisters-in-law & <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">nieces</span> & nephews. Ever. Until that moment, that is.</div><br /><div>Well there was no way I was going to let Dave go out to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Branson</span> without me, so I booked our flights & one for my Mom, too, so she could watch the kids while we were out of town. We've never been anywhere before, sans kids. That part was nice.</div><br /><div>What was even nicer is that everything fell in to place. One thing after another, beginning with finding an amazing home the first day we were here. We signed papers with the owners a few days later (after looking at some serious duds in between), went home to Vegas & began packing all our belongings. </div><br /><div>It's now three weeks later & here we are, happy to be in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Branson</span>. It's incredible here! We've had a few adventures since we arrived, but I'm just so thrilled to be here, none of that even matters. :D</div></div></div></div></div></div>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745969489674278781.post-25936874903697608462010-05-15T13:43:00.001-07:002010-05-15T13:51:30.789-07:00Triple 7'sWhile at a support group meeting the other night, one of the parents mentioned something about triple 7's. I had no idea what that meant, & we're not supposed to interrupt, so thankfully the group leader brought it up afterward & had another parent clarify what this meant.<br /><br />This man's Stake President made promises to the people of his Stake that if they followed these "triple 7's", their troubles would seem to ease & their ability to handle the trials that came their way would increase.<br /><br />Triple 7's means you must do 3 things a day, 7 days a week. Those three things are, personal morning prayer, scripture study, personal evening prayer.<br /><br />Such a simple way to put something that can have such a great effect on people's lives! I was impressed with its simplicity & wanted to always remember this. It's something that's become habit for me over the past year, so I know that there is most definitely a difference many aspects in my life, from my testimony, to my faith, to my love of those around me. So much good can come from those 3 simple things!Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745969489674278781.post-54395829219731128532010-05-15T10:45:00.000-07:002010-05-15T10:52:43.519-07:00Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!I entered in a contest a few weeks ago over at <a href="http://kari-youcanmakeit.blogspot.com/">U create</a> (one of my fav blogs to follow... tons of great, crafty ideas) & I actually won! I get $50 worth of merchandise from <a href="http://www.theribbonretreat.com/">The Ribbon Retreat</a>, which also happens to be one of my favorite ribbon suppliers. Needless to say, I'm thrilled!!<br /><br />Now I just have to figure out what to spend it all on. :DShannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745969489674278781.post-78327622459833480132010-05-04T14:34:00.001-07:002010-05-04T14:50:39.614-07:00New CallingI'm sad to be leaving my sweet little Sunbeams, but I'm excited about my new calling as the ward Provident Living Specialist! This is my first calling outside of Primary (other than being a Visiting Teaching Supervisor while I was also a Nursery worker, so I'm not sure if that counts). Ever. I'll be out of my element, for sure!<br /><br />I still kind of see Relief Society as the place my mom goes, but not so much me. It's funny because I'm certainly old enough to go, yet I think it will take some time before I feel like that's where I'm supposed to be. What in the world am I going to do without a gaggle of kids vying for my attention!?<br /><br />I don't have much of a food storage, & I'm terrible at rotating. I don't know much about emergency preparedness or survival should a serious emergency arise, so this opportunity is exciting to me. I'm always up for learning new & helpful things. I've been so involved with learning about the various uses of herbs & essential oils for the past decade, so now it's time to expand my brain a bit & gain more knowledge to share. Hopefully I can do that in a way that doesn't make me seem like a know-it-all (I fear I come across that way sometimes), & be able to get others excited about learning & implementing what they learn into their homes & families. :D<br /><br />Exciting times!! :)Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745969489674278781.post-78988938124361419732010-03-22T14:49:00.000-07:002010-03-22T15:29:10.515-07:00Spring has Sprung!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43ki3YQpBBI_7Dkn-ZkjalW4gh2po6DjpqrZJqqVXeVVmWezhnMe6SdHK-zklI4GhYXeVMu02MOP8iGyz0M7HwEJ6Mu0Ya17jmA959x1SQoBgEWx4AZ6qzNdmv_KLPS0BME0HoAGUHgM/s1600-h/048.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451583700960578706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43ki3YQpBBI_7Dkn-ZkjalW4gh2po6DjpqrZJqqVXeVVmWezhnMe6SdHK-zklI4GhYXeVMu02MOP8iGyz0M7HwEJ6Mu0Ya17jmA959x1SQoBgEWx4AZ6qzNdmv_KLPS0BME0HoAGUHgM/s400/048.JPG" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">There are cherry blossoms everywhere in our little community.</span></div><div align="center"><br /><div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkb7guiySo8U0lqTEMMZBXLhJ4UiQ9rHZCDkOFjUK1kd1vN5yu2feTgKQ-btuCiGfTJhWFU4Nyr-JBxYbxShcwo8T-FzXzdMYRV4S4ll9Cw7Hij9wuY7KOxnFE8RoQGFeNLP1y469EcHU/s1600-h/044.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451583667888994770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkb7guiySo8U0lqTEMMZBXLhJ4UiQ9rHZCDkOFjUK1kd1vN5yu2feTgKQ-btuCiGfTJhWFU4Nyr-JBxYbxShcwo8T-FzXzdMYRV4S4ll9Cw7Hij9wuY7KOxnFE8RoQGFeNLP1y469EcHU/s400/044.JPG" /></a> Around the corner from our home is a business park, sporting a "lake" with real whales in it. They like to hang out in the same place all day, spouting off (at their mother?). For the longest time, every time we would pass this corner, Jordan would diligently search for the sharks he knew were in there.</div><div> </div><div>Checking out the "floaters" they spotted. They were much more interesting than trying to spot sharks!</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451583688356556402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPG6QXRvlKwyU-MHQX-mQX3S6r8FfkTGi28JdWPhfay4KrJzImu1Cy3pIe0oUPR7JwVm6ntSMc7ngq6PyvWH3uI4WqwQN_ao4zvg2wdGbI5EqFQzbDvmlUR-FDBveYgP4Z-0pTYwd-ys/s400/046.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451583675232832354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBp8-KINnVkhNY-ji4ZdDg1a4v0kdlwxxrbGGUIMNg3-OKFVrBDP1Tu-yccSn0zzn_b2QWKWfaaO6F8wvIW9_4aCwjBoGR89HaEcznWbjw70AanOdrPIhSEdyUXkADb_0NkN4iAtcuzg/s400/045.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div>Of course, what's a nice Spring day walk without posing in front of whales?</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8bj6F18DFRTqQ3p_3bZqngjAk9csbCKRpa_IR0jY7a1CMM-9fCmihtWi_C1IseB3H_BFdar5fNIN2jl5kFutwaTcci6-lYDTLJd_JXKwhICdmhUb4hgEKObWYC4FktbB1vVXz3gVwVw/s1600-h/038.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451583116704335138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8bj6F18DFRTqQ3p_3bZqngjAk9csbCKRpa_IR0jY7a1CMM-9fCmihtWi_C1IseB3H_BFdar5fNIN2jl5kFutwaTcci6-lYDTLJd_JXKwhICdmhUb4hgEKObWYC4FktbB1vVXz3gVwVw/s400/038.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbUY-frdgjb_syv8tzGuRlfJkq_8g_Do6q6HrhW2-ql_VQmemIb5Z34oDbej72aqcuvdpk9IXNMkgIjdPYU7Xhdzk1jA8Bncm-mMv3Y9SIb6zo1w5BE3A3SP_HbMGNCYjeMWpmrG58uk/s1600-h/035.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451583106619992146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbUY-frdgjb_syv8tzGuRlfJkq_8g_Do6q6HrhW2-ql_VQmemIb5Z34oDbej72aqcuvdpk9IXNMkgIjdPYU7Xhdzk1jA8Bncm-mMv3Y9SIb6zo1w5BE3A3SP_HbMGNCYjeMWpmrG58uk/s400/035.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-ZaQNVZStkwN-yPzUwr30fvTsJ40WF3-OZBHic3Nf2_IqMyhJWd4K1So3bTMFNK3BOhcxkdUko-ST3utFpyGsb8oEgSwEKt0jC8_wAyhmc_cZGtx8MHzuLX8eZjV6-jhsmUL-im6aoA/s1600-h/034.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451583097614030370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-ZaQNVZStkwN-yPzUwr30fvTsJ40WF3-OZBHic3Nf2_IqMyhJWd4K1So3bTMFNK3BOhcxkdUko-ST3utFpyGsb8oEgSwEKt0jC8_wAyhmc_cZGtx8MHzuLX8eZjV6-jhsmUL-im6aoA/s400/034.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7nqYCg8Bz2f3FdUfrZvwZyJn44oSArjnUg-B7eda-3QKYH5Vv0GXF1BLbBtDt-Kh5l3p0CtFbTOh0ldmL8r2R_FMFwp8QYG_vJs6xvnUaIxh6pflm2c2R6R97xSGEiigN3EcIRQx2-Q/s1600-h/032.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451583084541665074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7nqYCg8Bz2f3FdUfrZvwZyJn44oSArjnUg-B7eda-3QKYH5Vv0GXF1BLbBtDt-Kh5l3p0CtFbTOh0ldmL8r2R_FMFwp8QYG_vJs6xvnUaIxh6pflm2c2R6R97xSGEiigN3EcIRQx2-Q/s400/032.JPG" /></a> </div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwB1MHFI4Bd6SQnQDsaaEW2NSZgmS2kyhvnr2iWQizmCmMqWufaRQHxVqhuLO33d_-fVsg1LAy4lsxUL4qY0-Gajc31QmxQFUQiWZUY2DhqA2Ff7y8vBSzWENkjJSIfPXqqcoiWZc-m0/s1600-h/031.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451583070159415026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwB1MHFI4Bd6SQnQDsaaEW2NSZgmS2kyhvnr2iWQizmCmMqWufaRQHxVqhuLO33d_-fVsg1LAy4lsxUL4qY0-Gajc31QmxQFUQiWZUY2DhqA2Ff7y8vBSzWENkjJSIfPXqqcoiWZc-m0/s400/031.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div>There was much drama to get this pic, so even though 3/4 of the people in the pic have their eyes closed, I'm posting it! It was sunny & Jordan was counseling everyone to close their eyes for the picture so they won't have to complain about mom making them pause for this shot.</div><div> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451582299946546386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJdEEyHT-zG79W8Amai4y3Marziq49fw8wkDiy8xiWoyBWuAMIetm3W0ax1n5uLlgtE6Fup_30F-StZA1wJFsRCcgH9kSsrE3qlmM0U2HOUicz-7CK1c1jEoS1ehlGGRjV6Seaa8xHY4/s400/026.JPG" /><br />And of course it isn't Spring without a little kite-flying at the park.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmwUENTes7Z9jGtnUwz-TDxXhLN3wVYFYQBw7hAPUWVKk80nIMu8pCbLAsUL0zcJGGHF4rUpICTYykF9qE-IlCedURBlao33d15XADa4X3i8PYlPg6qMSIp2QL_-UpidvNqHNuMh79Ws/s1600-h/028.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451582310799366226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmwUENTes7Z9jGtnUwz-TDxXhLN3wVYFYQBw7hAPUWVKk80nIMu8pCbLAsUL0zcJGGHF4rUpICTYykF9qE-IlCedURBlao33d15XADa4X3i8PYlPg6qMSIp2QL_-UpidvNqHNuMh79Ws/s400/028.JPG" /></a> </div><div><br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhHHZ4HcpQbqAORQc-qDK82GJzN7XpGRpg2b_GjPNspcsZyHKodv9_odLp9BbgY7RK-5sgWVtqiwwfF4-w5SxrsRsR6O7uJGx-u3v-BowhdCIZgf9c5VLS0qaq_uIg7PuUMqYbT1o8P4/s1600-h/022.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451582279325662530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhHHZ4HcpQbqAORQc-qDK82GJzN7XpGRpg2b_GjPNspcsZyHKodv9_odLp9BbgY7RK-5sgWVtqiwwfF4-w5SxrsRsR6O7uJGx-u3v-BowhdCIZgf9c5VLS0qaq_uIg7PuUMqYbT1o8P4/s400/022.JPG" /></a> </div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ujuHSdbQavh8W-wJJXm_F_qpPmCaR-iWf2K2BO6tw_Yq6lCkLaDEOMNJ1yuPhiZk7yyW32n0QoQGnLWXUMHJ9mPefQJOYYQ6OXEYu_b00kWXmdJzhHfoAi-zemODMwkByGaxEWg8xX0/s1600-h/021.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451582262277305378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ujuHSdbQavh8W-wJJXm_F_qpPmCaR-iWf2K2BO6tw_Yq6lCkLaDEOMNJ1yuPhiZk7yyW32n0QoQGnLWXUMHJ9mPefQJOYYQ6OXEYu_b00kWXmdJzhHfoAi-zemODMwkByGaxEWg8xX0/s400/021.JPG" /></a><br />Apparently I missed getting a picture of Logan with his Super Hero's kite. He was pretty mad at the kite though, after it didn't magically take off like he had planned. He's all about the Super Heroes right now. I can barely get him out of his black Spiderman costume long enough to wash it. It needs a serious patch job. The neighbors think we're crazy & are unsure if he even owns anything other than a Spiderman costume. I'll have to try to get some pics up of him, as Spidey, once I get the thing fixed.<br /><br /><div>Overall, we had so much fun trying to fly kites that day. I smiled, laughed, & ran so much I was sore from it all the next day. Fun times!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745969489674278781.post-34646187422050556192010-03-18T15:19:00.000-07:002010-03-18T15:40:55.760-07:00Toof-less & Some Visitors!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQX11oj2cptchscXz9z0lXVHAbww0ejhnVmfIlUnZ37Pm7fHyfAre8Y41s6LuniJ4bU_AQ4MfvL0jf9yFbpc37m_1nGLKx9Ro52lPwWGL0z2tM11D9IVzp9NHH59dSsUrHmJo2xw2LtSo/s1600-h/017.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450105612121894882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQX11oj2cptchscXz9z0lXVHAbww0ejhnVmfIlUnZ37Pm7fHyfAre8Y41s6LuniJ4bU_AQ4MfvL0jf9yFbpc37m_1nGLKx9Ro52lPwWGL0z2tM11D9IVzp9NHH59dSsUrHmJo2xw2LtSo/s400/017.JPG" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Jordan sporting a new grin.</span> </div><div align="center"><br /><div align="left">Jojo lost another tooth, but this time the Tooth Fairy was nice enough to grant him his request to keep it. We made a little pillow box to put it in & wrote a note to the TF to please leave the treasured tooth. She left him a 5-spot (NICE!) & was swiftly on her way.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Jo gave his first talk in Primary the following Sunday (amazing, for him, since he is so scared of getting up & talking in front of others!). It was *so* adorable, the way he could no longer say his "S's" quite right.<br /><br /></div><div align="left">We were lucky enough to have the space available when a friend needed a place to stay this month. She has two kids who often stayed over as well, one of them being Jordan's age. Gracie was a joy to have around! The kids couldn't wait to get up in the morning to see if she was there, & Grace would always watch out the window of the casita to see when we would open our blinds, signaling we were all up & ready to take on the day. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">We had so much fun, having them here. My friend Tami was <em>the </em>model houseguest & I miss her now that she's in an apartment. They were with us for about a month & the kids still ask about Gracie in the mornings.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450105939151258450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFJV5NbNQULPFMN3scR86mK3jsDGF82vGdh_sJwRwBXHxFfdauQLG3hKsm_cC4JLNlGLZEBOXBfyfjCmyA-pwOLdQQoz9Pa7yHnu8JsNYWVSohMgN8KbSrZ5oJoJJtLX89DyuWWF7FJvs/s400/018.JPG" /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Jo & Gracie crafting together</span> </div>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745969489674278781.post-73994748367251498762010-03-09T22:27:00.001-08:002010-03-09T22:36:34.100-08:00Job-front UpdateDave went in for an exit interview & to turn in his pager & time thingy yesterday & met with the head of Human Resources for both <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Las</span> Vegas sites. Before he even made it in her door, the VP over the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Harrah's</span> site (where Dave moved from about 6 months ago) grabbed him & pulled him in to his office. He told Dave he wanted him to come back to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Harrah's</span> site & was confident he could pull the necessary strings to make it happen. Dave tried to switch back to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Harrah's</span> site back in December, but the move was blocked by the VP over the Resort site.<br /><br />After speaking with the HR lady & documenting <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">everything</span> that had been going on, she was also pretty confident they could get a transfer approved. He hadn't been removed from the computer system yet, so technically he was still considered an employee & wouldn't be subjected to a rehire process & the mandatory 90 day wait.<br /><br />After telling her he'd think about it & get back to her before the end of the day, Dave met with a business owner we know to talk about working for him. It wasn't the kind of sales he was used to or comfortable with (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">tele</span>-sales), so he called the HR lady back last night & accepted the offer.<br /><br />Today he got the call that it's official. His transfer date will be either this Friday or next, which is nice because he's getting a little time off & best of all HE STILL HAS A JOB!!! :D<br /><br />Thanks for all your prayers & positive thoughts!!Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745969489674278781.post-81805939625582086002010-03-07T10:57:00.000-08:002010-03-07T11:19:41.677-08:00SUPER Underwear Head Boy!Logan, the unwittingly funny kid, had a conversation with me not long ago. He's even funnier because he doesn't know how funny he actually is.<br /><br /><br /><br />Logan: "Mom, can I go outside?"<br />Me: "No, not right now."<br />Logan: "But I want to."<br />Me: "I know, but it's too cold out right now."<br />Logan: "But I won't be cold."<br />Me: "Sorry buddy, but it's too cold out right now."<br />Logan: "What if I put underwear on my head & socks on my hands? Can I go out then?"<br /><br /><br /><br />After that kind show of negotiating skills, he managed to convince me. I think he would've convinced just about anyone with that arguement.<br /><br />Not the best pic of him, but he wasn't interested in posing that day. I can't imagine why. LOL<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445972486479237794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhP7JXb3Iwr_mIulWb6mk4Yh1iN26Mk8vFqEGbG5cdjn5HR4ok9b9KUbYJXL52ImQSbIX54wsDdd1c4QnTh88nki3qVgkeVnyGesrpj4BSEZdXTK8E1B44aF0pYlHvZkuO_xLDpoaYf8/s400/013.JPG" />Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745969489674278781.post-61401218233559820642010-03-05T20:41:00.001-08:002010-03-05T20:47:32.533-08:00Current McKenney NewsI know... shocker, huh!?<br /><br />You know what the word job stands for? Just Over Broke.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hahahaha</span><br /><br />But it's not really all that funny today. This morning Dave resigned from his job of nearly 9 years so he could move on to bigger & better things. Those "things" are yet to be found. It's been a long time coming, but it doesn't change the fact that, at the most, in 6 months from now, we will be just over broke.<br /><br />Weird thing is I'm not freaking out about it. Yet.<br /><br />Let the resume updating & job hunt begin! Wish us luck (prayers are even better!).Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745969489674278781.post-2284645772814796902010-03-04T13:53:00.000-08:002010-03-04T14:00:33.502-08:00February is gone!?February flew by for us. It was a busy month, with Tyler returning home for his schooling. Plus with Logan & Hayleah going to preschool 3 days a week. And we can't forget about Jordan & his schooling (though I think I let a little too much slide with this one). <div><br /><div>I'm going to try to catch up on some posts in the next few days, as time permits. </div><br /><div>Can you believe Spring is already upon us!?</div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444901670503922114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzTvxhVbacFddgWC4JPQeBAUZ2W4krWjN-J7ae6UxSL5Nx68bnkezrvD55eFQJ9VyCBPGcLcIKW_uZ0MXHFnbFzyZqw5IN5bSCVd5ifPzAlXGxQzbVBaXMPH-j2CD4oIcCvSu0myCTgY/s400/048.JPG" /></div></div>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745969489674278781.post-12742228472548057742010-03-04T13:43:00.000-08:002010-03-04T13:52:50.936-08:00A Haircut For The Girl!Princess Hayleah's hair was constantly in her face, if it wasn't pulled back in some piggies or a pony. And even then sometimes it was by the middle of the day. This child plays hard, right alongside her brothers. So, after much pleading from Dave, I took her over to a friend for a cute new 'do. :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkxINiMkOvIkVvB24neEEfEZGsgSq5B2sGbQSg6j8-zZVR-YeWrRXMvYVE_wHmpg87F1yF0Zqkjq9Cxp0umM1PvY0ummBDwMacit68Hsh84thTLxVoZ7HGPxRi4tmMGaJlXrpWOaD-c0/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444898347955586514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkxINiMkOvIkVvB24neEEfEZGsgSq5B2sGbQSg6j8-zZVR-YeWrRXMvYVE_wHmpg87F1yF0Zqkjq9Cxp0umM1PvY0ummBDwMacit68Hsh84thTLxVoZ7HGPxRi4tmMGaJlXrpWOaD-c0/s400/003.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhNKxAldhr47kYKBiftsJS1lD1Rz3w5_UQgRwXO-xie4ARB9SZ4KiNKUQ6yy0Nw19FzI22QSBuhGPZFPbJNO8b0mpQ9F5lFP65PSCYmXC9Qosh3dmkGirf2P934Anlq4nsexMya0xeUY/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444898336290108418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhNKxAldhr47kYKBiftsJS1lD1Rz3w5_UQgRwXO-xie4ARB9SZ4KiNKUQ6yy0Nw19FzI22QSBuhGPZFPbJNO8b0mpQ9F5lFP65PSCYmXC9Qosh3dmkGirf2P934Anlq4nsexMya0xeUY/s400/002.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeSENVtCMRrKZAs0BbmqOEJeplSPm6vw6NEW3btPl5e6FGhVFXdB3Y913hY67FRymAaZ9EZRlyund8uZVLfRK7etjyoEebUzjwz-HKv_pvDLlZg9Y8hmDvYfVyJ7zkSBCZArn5P7ZrU4/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444898320614731314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeSENVtCMRrKZAs0BbmqOEJeplSPm6vw6NEW3btPl5e6FGhVFXdB3Y913hY67FRymAaZ9EZRlyund8uZVLfRK7etjyoEebUzjwz-HKv_pvDLlZg9Y8hmDvYfVyJ7zkSBCZArn5P7ZrU4/s400/001.JPG" /></a><br /><div>It's such a cute cut on her! (don't mind the blue lips... she's breathing just fine here. such a faker! ;o) ) She's showing off her Princess book her Yaya sent to her. She LOVES this book. So much so, she took it outside with her to "read", only to accidently leave it out there overnight. Of course it rained. And, of course, we didn't discover this for a few days, since it rained for most of the week. And, of course, we're now on the hunt for a new Princess book.</div></div></div>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745969489674278781.post-7811306172536048592010-01-30T08:42:00.000-08:002010-01-30T08:54:27.973-08:00"You KNOW!"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqHasuPUxGag66cKGFTiHL1bJ5zJZJKTDf17xr9r0xX6mZ3Xfw7Ir8hM3EdsEL36o7GxJebMpxpi2uZ-fvfxDsx1Xwe-2FfP6qtAiYPjsAFh0OuPzvIDpHeObTO2B7Lo8JW6nAxWDObQ/s1600-h/038.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 225px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432576391972241906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqHasuPUxGag66cKGFTiHL1bJ5zJZJKTDf17xr9r0xX6mZ3Xfw7Ir8hM3EdsEL36o7GxJebMpxpi2uZ-fvfxDsx1Xwe-2FfP6qtAiYPjsAFh0OuPzvIDpHeObTO2B7Lo8JW6nAxWDObQ/s400/038.JPG" /></a>This is the response I get to nearly *every* question asked of Logan. Sometimes Hayleah (Logan's mini-parrot) gets on a "You KNOW!" kick, too. While it's very frustrating at times, it's also kind of cute he seems to think I know everything. :)<br /><div></div><br /><div>Me: "What do you want for breakfast, buddy?"</div><br /><div>Logan: "You KNOW!"</div><br /><div>Me: "No, actually I don't. That's why I asked you."</div><br /><div>Logan: "You know, Mom. You know."</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This kid seems to know a lot more about me than I do! </div>Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745969489674278781.post-30828627809151714092010-01-28T19:58:00.000-08:002010-01-28T20:08:17.764-08:00I've gone & done it now...I'm not sure, but I think I may be spoiled for life. I love the ease & convenience of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">audio books</span>, so now when it comes time to sit down with a physical book, I find myself struggling to get very far in it. I've always been an avid reader, but lately I even struggle to find the time to sit down with my scriptures each day, let alone any of the other books on my growing list of must-reads.<br /><br />I'm hoping I haven't reached the point of no return. I love my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">iPod</span> & use it daily, so it's hard to break away to read other things than what's playing at the moment. The only time I ever listen to music on it is either when I'm working out, or when I bump it too hard & it switches itself to music.<br /><br />I'll have to try harder to find time for some peaceful reading soon. There are so many books out there I can't get via <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">audio books</span> (at least not without paying a fortune), it's taking me a lot longer to make it through them all.<br /><br />I figure, if this is the worst of my problems, I'm really blessed & I kind of suck to be complaining about it. ;)Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745969489674278781.post-46515285837237400622010-01-25T19:13:00.001-08:002010-01-25T19:17:08.671-08:00It's a no-goUnfortunately, the big boss at the Grand Desert will not let Dave transfer back to the Harrah's site. They're being jerks about it. Fortunately, Dave's had a few sales since I last posted, which helps tremendously with things. Money coming in is a big relief, for one!<br /><br />I hope things turn around. He's hanging on to the job for now, but he sure isn't happy to be there. It's not new territory, this unhappiness, but it sure stinks to be in the middle of it!Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745969489674278781.post-84989555910231301182010-01-12T11:09:00.000-08:002010-01-12T11:14:41.541-08:00Crossing our fingersWe're hoping Dave will soon be transferred back to the Harrah's site for his job soon. He's been at the Grand Desert, trying to sell timeshares, for several months now, & it's just not working out. He can't give it away right now & he's lucky to see one couple a day. Some days he has to sit around for hours, only to find out there isn't a tour for him.<br /><br />Dave can be a very successful salesman, but without people to pitch it to, there's little hope of making money (or even keeping his job if he's not writing business). I wish there was something else out there that has the potential pay like timeshare!Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745969489674278781.post-43250902203492582642010-01-11T12:46:00.000-08:002010-01-11T12:53:35.348-08:00Really putting myself out there...I'm unveiling another work in progress (like myself) today & wanted to share it with my family & friends. Please go check it out & come help support me in my effort to get healthy again!<br /><br /><a href="http://operationbyebyefatsuit.blogspot.com/">Operation: Bye-bye <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Fatsuit</span>!</a><br /><br />Putting myself out there like this has to be one of the most difficult things this private person has ever done, but I need the advice & support of others, as well as some accountability to someone other than myself, to help make this work. Come follow along, as I make my way up this hill (mountain) of my own making! Also, feel free to share this link with your family & friends. The more the merrier!Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745969489674278781.post-5183777978115450472010-01-02T21:19:00.001-08:002010-01-02T21:31:01.150-08:00In a slumpI've been a lazy blogger, I know. I find when a blog idea pops in to my head, I don't have enough time to get it out of there before it gets filed away somewhere in a place I like to call <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Neverland</span>. That is, if a thought is to be heard from again, it's usually around 2 a.m. & I'm far too lazy to get up to write it down for another time.<br /><br />I think I'll blame my lack of blogging on the loss of my "Precious" (read: camera). I wish I could take a picture of it to share on my blog, but that would be a challenge even if it was working. If I had a working camera, I'd blog more, surely! I miss the darn thing. Every time I think of it an old Cinderella tune dances its way through my head... "Don't Know What You Got 'Til It's Gone".<br /><br />I'll try to update about Christmas soon. I bought some cheap throw away cameras but haven't developed them yet. Jordan got a hold of one, so I'm sure those pics will mostly be of the dog, or a dirty sliding glass door, or some dust bunny or other. We shall see! I don't miss the "surprises" of non-digital cameras (what are they called??). I like knowing what I'm getting right when I take it. This winding knobs, hold a button down to make the flash work, throw away camera business is for the birds!!Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745969489674278781.post-54510332044367015442009-12-23T17:19:00.000-08:002009-12-23T17:23:39.390-08:00FIFTY!!I set a goal this year to read 40 books & decided to track it through this blog. As of yesterday, I've read 50 books! Some of them I've read multiple times, but I wasn't counting it that way. Dave got me an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">iPod</span> for Christmas last year & through audio books & the closest library, I think this year has been a record setting year. Granted a lot of the books were fluffy, but I'm still proud of actually setting & attaining a goal. Normally I stink at that kind of thing. I'm already thinking about next years goals...Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745969489674278781.post-4150989810085223812009-12-09T14:35:00.000-08:002009-12-09T14:40:54.242-08:00Birthday girl!!We celebrated Hayleah's 3rd birthday this week. Like every parent before me says, I can hardly believe my baby is *THREE*! Where did the time go!?<br /><br />We had a small family party for her on her actual birthday (the 6th), & today we had a house full of friends come over to partay with us. This is the first time everyone invited actually came! Well, almost everyone. In all, I believe there were 12 kids. Not bad at all! :)<br /><br />We played games, ate heart shaped pb&j sammies, swung on swings, slid down slides, chowed on some cherry chip cupcakes, & opened some nice gifts. I know Hayleah had a really fun time & I'm so glad everyone came!<br /><br />I wish I had some pics to share, but alas... still no camera. (sadness)<br /><br />Until next year...Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07490533518090075217noreply@blogger.com0