Le Jour De L'amour

So this post is only 2 weeks late in coming, but at least it's getting posted, right???

For those of you that aren't very good with French the title of this post is The Day of Love, which means I am talking about Valentine's Day. WOOT! WOOT!

Our kids were SPOILED this Valentine's Day. My parents gave them a bag of goodies including a straw and bubbles. My older sister gave them their own thing of Crush soda and a bag of candy. Eric's parents gave them these:

(Aren't they cute?) In these bags were a few things of fruit snacks, some candy and cards with a $10 bill. That's right Eric's parents gave each of the kids $10. The kids had a blast choosing toys to buy with their money.

As for me, I was surprised with this:

Eric always does an awesome job and always ends up surprising me. He decided to give it to me the night of the 13th because he works from early morning until late at night.

ON Valentine's Day the kids and I did our traditional cookies:

Ailey, was just hanging around:

As for Eric's gift - well, I made these for him:

And yes, he really liked them - although he has yet to use them. ;)

We had a great Valentine's Day this year and I hope the rest of you did as well!

What Happens Next...

Oh, Baby!

My nephew was blessed this past Sunday. It was such a neat experience and I am so glad we were able to be there. After the blessing we headed to my sister in laws parents home for a yummy brunch. While we were there we got these pics:


These are the 2010 babies in the family. Ailey is 1st and is now 9 months old, M comes next and she is 8 months old, C brings up the end and he is 3 months old. It has been so fun for my mom to have all these babies in the family!

I think these pictures are funny because they show personality...Ailey didn't really want to be bothered, M had just woken up from a nap and was really mad that we thought we should get pics, and in true boy style C was just so chill!

Oh, by the way - that's my big sis in the picture with the babies. She is such an awesome aunt and no, none of the babies belong to her.

What Happens Next...

30 Days of Blog Posts: Day 30

It's me again...A day late and a dollar short - story of my life.

Anyway here is DAY 30 - WHO ARE YOU?

This question has always been a hard one for me because quite honestly, I really don't know who I am. It is something I struggle with on a daily basis and one that causes a lot of concern from my super, terrific hubby.

However, there was a song I heard years ago that I actually agree with. The video and lyrics are below.

VIDEO:
(If you have trouble getting the video to load on the blog, you can double click in the middle of the screen or on the name and it'll take you to YouTube to view it)

LYRICS:

If I live to be a hundred
and never see the seven wonders
that'll be alright
If I don't make it to the big leagues
If I never win a grammy
I'm gonna be just fine
Cause I know exactly who I am

Chorus:
I am Rosemary's granddaughter

the spitting image of my father


and when the day is done
my momma's still my biggest fan


Sometimes I'm clueless and I'm clumsy
but I've got friends that love me


and they know just where I stand
It's all a part of me
and that's who I am

Verse 2:
So when I make a big mistake
when I fall flat on my face
I know I'll be alright
Should my tender heart be broken


I will cry those teardrops knowin'
I will be just fine
'cause nothin' changes who I am

Chorus:
I am Rosemary's granddaughter
the spitting image of my father
and when the day is done
my momma's still my biggest fan
Sometimes I'm clueless and I'm clumsy
but I've got friends that love me
and they know just where I stand
It's all a part of me
and that's who I am

Bridge:
I'm a saint and I'm a sinner
I'm a loser I'm a winner
I am steady and unstable
I am young but I am able

Chorus:
I am Rosemary's granddaughter
the spitting image of my father
and when the day is done
my momma's still my biggest fan
Sometimes I'm clueless and I'm clumsy
but I've got friends that love me
and they know where I stand
It's all a part of me
and that's who I am

(Repeat Chorus)

That's who I am

What Happens Next...

30 Days of Blog Posts: Day 29

DAY 29 - IN THIS PAST MONTH, WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED

Ugh, what have I learned this past month...

#1 - We have crappy cars.
#2 - As much as I am on the computer, it's hard to post something EVERY day.
#3 - My husband is much better at taking care of me when I'm sick, than I am at taking care of him.
#4 - I really HATE science (See previous post)
#5 - I really want a better washer/dryer soon! Maybe it'll actually make me want to do laundry.
(I'm weird that way)
#6 - A month goes by fast.
#7 - I am so happy that February is almost OVER!

What Happens Next...

I HATE Science

I've never liked science. Except for a small stint in 8th or 9th grade when I had French Science. Yes, you read that right - French Science. It was the regular curriculum for whatever grade I was in, but the quizzes and everything were in French. The teacher even spoke French sometimes, which he then had to translate - since very few of us were aces at the language.

I liked this teacher A LOT and he made Science fun. I was sad when I heard that he passed away just a few months ago. He was one of those teachers that just made an impact in my life. Otherwise, Science was always BORING!

So imagine how thrilled I was when Tanis brought home a note in the middle of January telling us that all 5th graders HAD to participate in the Science Fair. BUGGER! What ever happened to letting kids choose to participate? Anyway, so he brings this note home in the middle of January and the Science Fair was the second week in February. We figured we had a bit of time and we'd work on it the following weekend.

Well, the following weekend came and went and Eric and I forgot all about it. Eric had this idea about doing something with the taste of water planned out, but we just forgot about it.

Then 2 days before the Science Fair someone posted something about it on Facebook and I was so angry that I had forgotten. We now had 2 days to get something pulled together. Ay yi yi.

Eric still wanted to do his water thing, but since I had to do all the immediate research for it, I wanted something a bit easier. Plus let's face it - Eric doesn't even get home until 7 every night, so the project was up to me at this point. So, I went online to www.sciencebuddies.org, which the paper had mentioned as a place to go for ideas and I found something that would hopefully keep Tanis and I interested. I changed it a bit so that we weren't copying the thing EXACTLY. I still wanted to make it a bit our own.

Tanis was super excited for the actual testing of his project as he got to call a bunch of family members. But doing everything else was just boring for him. I made him look at a few websites and had him write down the things he thought were interesting. I then pulled all that info into a report that made some sort of sense, which he then typed out. Because we had slacked off, I put the posterboard together while he was typing out the report.

I was glad to have it done with and only made sure it was done so that it wouldn't affect his grade. He doesn't have the greatest grade in math, but his science grade was good and I didn't want that to be another subject with a low grade. Otherwise, I wouldn't have messed with it!

This is Tanis' project. Hopefully you can see the picture well enough that you get the idea. If you are still curious, you can email me or something and I'll give you the details.... ;)

So we go over to the school the night of the Science Fair and hang out for an 1 1/2 while waiting for the judging. It was fun to see that a few kids from the ward - who did the Science Fair because they wanted to - win 1st and 2nd place awards. Of course Tanis didn't get one. He felt bad and as we were walking home I explained to him that it wasn't really fair for him to get an award with 2 days of work, when other kids spent weeks on it. He was okay with that and understood that.

The next day he comes home with this:


This Honorable Mention means that he is able to go on to the District Science Fair. Now, I would've left it alone at this point, but Eric thought we should let Tanis go onto the district level and Tanis really wanted to do it. So, I was outvoted.

Now, we just have to wait until March 1st and then we get to spend all night at a District Science Fair. Lucky us, right? Oh well, at least my lil' sis' lives right by the high school it's at, so we can go bug her during the downtime. (Aren't you excited Kaeloni?) And we are giving our kid a chance to do something he wanted to do.

Here's to Science! And yes, I still HATE it!!!

What Happens Next...

30 Days of Blog Posts: Day 28

DAY 28 - A PICTURE OF YOU LAST YEAR AND NOW, HOW HAVE YOU CHANGED SINCE THEN?

...Easter 2010 (It's the only 'good' picture I can find)...

...January 2011...

How have I changed?
Well for starters, I am no longer VERY PREGNANT! Yay!!!!
I don't stay in bed all day long.
Most days I make an attempt to actually get ready for the day.
I've lost a good 30 lbs. since last year.
My hair has a bit of a different style.
I am a bit more confident in myself.
I have soft contacts.

What Happens Next...

My Little Precious Moments Doll

See this cute girl???


She is now referred to as my Precious Moments Doll. My little sister got a bunch of clothes from a few different people and shared with me. She knew how much I love(d) Precious Moments AND overalls, and decided to save the outfit for Ailey. Wasn't that sweet of her?

Eric's mom thinks that Ailey has a face just like a porcelain doll and that is where the doll part of it all comes in.

What Happens Next...

30 Days of Blog Posts: Day 27

DAY 27 - WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS 30 DAY CHALLENGE?

In short,

Okay, in all reality I did this challenge because it sounded fun. I didn't think it would be as difficult as it has been to post EVERY SINGLE DAY! Wow, that's difficult.

What Happens Next...

30 Days of Blog Posts: Day 26

DAY 26 - WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR FRIENDS

I ♥ my friends!!!

Those that have known me since childhood & Jr. High are about some of the greatest people I have ever met in my life and they have been there for me through thick & thin.

To those I've gotten to know just recently - I am so glad you are around! You've all come into my life at a time when I've needed you most!!!

Thanks to all of you!!!

What Happens Next...

30 Days of Blog Posts: Day 25

DAY 25: WHAT I WOULD FIND IN YOUR BAG

Okay, the only bag I really carry around with me is the diaper bag....So, here's what's in the diaper bag today!

• A Bottle
• "Travel" container of formula
• Baby Toys
• Camera
• Wallet
• Change Purse
• Diapers
• Diaper Wipes
• Ailey's Church Shoes
• Stray Pen

What Happens Next...

30 Days of Blog Posts: Day 24

DAY 24: A LETTER TO YOUR PARENTS

I'm not sure why this made the list of blog posts, but whatever. And yes, I am going to email this to my parents since they don't really read my blog!

Dear Mom & Dad,

I know I don't tell you a lot about what's going on with me and what I feel, but I think it's time you hear a few of my thoughts and feelings.

First of all, I want to thank you for the type of parents that you were. I just read a book where because the mom was mentally ill and the father was working most of the time - the children were left to fend for themselves and take care of each other and their mother. I am thankful I didn't have to experience that. I am thankful to have had a mother who was always there to wipe away a tear and to care for a sick child. I am thankful for a father who was home at night and a father that always supported us.

I am thankful for the selflessness that you both shared with me. Mom: you were always putting aside your wants to take care of our needs. I can't count how many hours were spent sewing clothing for us to wear and for a clean house and a nice meal EVERY night.

Dad: you spent many, many years at a job you pretty much HATED to care for our family and to provide for us. I know that had to be a less than exciting thing to do day in and day out, but it was very much appreciated. I am happy that we had what we needed though at times we may not have had all of our wants.

Mom, thank you for teaching me HOW to clean. I may not always follow the same example that you taught me, but I am thankful for the know how. Thank you for sacrificing yourself to bring myself and 6 wonderful siblings into this world. I am so happy to have the family that I have.

Dad, thanks for suffering through so many musicals and plays, it meant a lot to always have you there!

Thanks for playing personal chauffeur to and from work so many, many times.

But most of all, thanks for being you!

I love you,
Shilo

What Happens Next...

30 Days of Blog Posts: Day 23

DAY 23 - SOMETHING YOU CRAVE FOR A LOT

This one is a toughie for me cause I don't know that I really CRAVE anything...but things I tend to want a lot is:

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are my indulgence when I need chocolate...I keep them in the fridge and NO ONE gets to share them with me!

I really hate when no one pays attention to me...

I NEVER seem to get enough sleep...NEVER!

That's pretty simple, right?

What Happens Next...

30 Days of Posts: Day 22

DAY 22: WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT FROM EVERYONE ELSE

Going along with what others have said on this topic - the fact that I am me makes me different from everyone else. But, if you want specifics I'll give you a few:

• My name...I've met very, very FEW Shilo's in my lifetime


• I come from a family of 7 children


• I had 5 kids by the time I was 30 and all of them have the same father (Yes that's normal in these parts, but not in other areas of the country)


• I never went to college - not even for a short time


• It seems I give my hubby more 'free' time than other wives give their husbands


• I actually like my in-laws
  

What Happens Next...

30 Days of Blog Posts: Day 21

Here I go again with the excuses...It's what I seem to be best at lately...

Life has just been crazy busy these past few days and it leaves me with no energy/desire to blog. Thankfully life has slowed down for awhile again.

DAY 21: A PICTURE OF SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU HAPPY

Nathan Fillion aka Richard Castle and Mal Reynolds

Jim Parsons aka Sheldon Cooper

TINKERBELL

Now onto serious things....

I love seeing Eric interact with Ailey. Ailey loves her Daddy so much and ALWAYS begs to be held right when he comes in the door after work. Eric is so cute with her and it's so fun to just sit back and watch!

Do I really need to explain?

What Happens Next...