tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39364746333276651182012-02-16T20:31:22.102-08:00A little food, a little wine, oh and of course 3 kids.Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.comBlogger981100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-34726248737674228032011-04-20T13:38:00.000-07:002011-04-20T13:38:49.642-07:00

The living room was dark as we sat, son and I. Staying up to rest in each others company long after daddy and siblings snuck off to bed. He asks. “Mom? Does God ever talk to you?” Breathing in I gather my meandering thought processes to focus on correct response. I settle on truth. “Yes.” silence. I slyly lure out more. “Does God talk to you?” “oh sure, all the time.” Silence. “Well,

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-47912823255453933532011-03-14T15:00:00.000-07:002011-03-14T15:00:59.663-07:00

She's just not a reader.  That's the statement we've lived with for the past few years.  She doesn't want to yet, she simple doesn't care.  Unfortunately, this isn't acceptable at a grade school level and so she's been getting extra help, we've been working with her on the basics and still, she doesn't care.  Or is that, didn't?  Picking up a book this weekend, a book from my childhood carried

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-79908321348445506872011-02-20T17:52:00.000-08:002011-02-20T17:52:24.656-08:00

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-76628541189498534272011-02-19T15:03:00.000-08:002011-02-19T15:04:23.181-08:00

I first heard the thunder while separating whites from darks in the quiet depths of the house.  Stopping for a moment to assess the severity of the storm approaching, I shake it off and quickly resume the task at hand.  Screams cut through my musing, twist knob, thick liquid glugs, lid closes, my feet hit the stairs.  I had heard it sounds like a freight train coming before it engulfs all life

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-64898417744635893102011-02-18T07:46:00.000-08:002011-02-18T08:29:56.658-08:00

It's pretty easy to look around at my life and count the ways God continually blesses me when all is well. In a week wracked with sickness upon sickness my vision admittedly becomes a bit clouded. "One Thousand Gifts" was delivered the same day my doctor gave me a mega-dose of antibiotics to kick the sinus/strep infection invading my head. I didn't know when I ordered it that I would be

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-60688253226616335502011-02-17T11:02:00.001-08:002011-02-17T12:11:54.197-08:00

"I want to do something"That's always how it starts, those olive eyes staring up at me expectantly. Maybe this time, this time she'll drop everything and we'll all jet off to Disneyland. Not so much. "So do something" goes my well thought out, deeply empathetic response. The woes of a child, plans to build a trap to catch fish in a river we do not own, nor are we going to anytime soon, dashed.

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-38735862798599195142011-02-13T15:15:00.000-08:002011-02-13T15:44:28.483-08:00

I like to think I'm a good listener but I guess our views of ourselves are admittedly a bit one sided. Two years ago I wrote a similar post about feeling the need to give up the computer for a while and when I rethought that decision my computer crashed and a forced fast begin. Well, I may be two years older but certainly not two years wiser. Once again the call to set aside my computer time

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-5988202450247392342010-09-12T14:15:00.000-07:002010-09-12T14:52:01.020-07:00

When I was growing up the Kennedy assassination was the "I remember when" statement of choice. Today, my generation looks to 9/11 as ours. I was pregnant with our first child and kept willing him to stay inside, thinking how could we be bringing a child into such chaos. But more importantly I was getting ready for work. We had very important suppliers in town that day and death and

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-61956718051258967142010-06-22T14:55:00.000-07:002010-06-22T15:39:41.360-07:00

I was a typical daddy's girl. My dad taught me how to mow a yard. My dad taught me how to check my brake pads and how to ride a motorcycle. My dad taught me how to properly kiss a sturgeon before releasing it to grow a little bit more. My dad taught me to watch in amazement as the light changes to capture the exact photo you were wishing for. My dad taught me that marriage is hard and he

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-46661798233689635172010-05-01T08:04:00.000-07:002010-05-01T08:43:16.546-07:00

The steam rose slowly around me, the scent of vanilla cleansing not only the air, quiet bliss...BAM,BAM,BAM,BAM,BAM!!!"MOM?! MOM??!!, I'm starving! MOM??? are you making breakfast? mom?"deep, long, drawn-out sigh...."why yes, I am.""No you're not, you're taking a shower.""THEN WHY DID YOU ASK???!!!"bye-bye bliss, buh-bye...Honestly, it never ceases to amaze me, whether while I'm in the shower or

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-59319656814642471272010-03-26T13:10:00.000-07:002010-03-26T14:05:47.739-07:00

Yesterday I had the privilege of standing with some of my best friends in front of 36 women and giving my testimony. I was nervous that I was just going to stammer and cry the whole time, combine that with the ever present fear of what will everyone think of me now? and let's just say it was a roller coaster ride of a day. In the end I sucked it up right along with everyone else. I knew

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-849074544083653812010-03-17T06:46:00.000-07:002010-03-17T07:04:28.973-07:00

So maybe not so well formed. Solutions still not established, but definitely brewing. How can you get mad at them for obsessively brushing their teeth?? Especially when 2 of them are getting cavities filled this week! Obviously it could be worse. The troll who lives in the bathtub though needs to be stopped. I don't know why the shower curtain flipped over the bar irritates me tenfold

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-49877162016160324182010-02-18T11:37:00.000-08:002010-02-18T11:48:09.998-08:00

Well, maybe not so well formed but a plan none-the-less. As the purpose of this blog goes 'to let my kids see a glimpse into what they did to me' I figure I should get technical. Saturday is T-Day, that would be tracking day. Oh yes, I am going to set up charts in each room and for a day track the activity that is required of me there. I picked Saturday because all the kids are home and I

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-59326991646643368152010-01-26T14:11:00.000-08:002010-01-26T16:32:51.532-08:00

I've posted before about how I know when I'm supposed to write something. Basically, to make the voices in my head stop their tirade I have to put it down on virtual paper. Well, the ranting won't let up and after a lengthy debate with myself, I finally figured out what I had to do. You see, I witnessed a disturbing (not eww gross disturbing, but the I'm going to pummel that person disturbing)

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-75025151176885409842010-01-22T10:43:00.000-08:002010-01-22T11:44:42.438-08:00

Well, maybe not so much planting as planning. Every year I pour over the seed catalogs trying to figure out the perfect veggies for our climate and when to start them. This year is no exception albeit I've been otherwise occupied with my crack habit du jour, aka alpaca/silk bliss, the veggies still need a plantin'. So instead of writing my plan out on yet another piece of paper to be found (or

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-39005744874714009332010-01-09T13:01:00.000-08:002010-01-09T13:29:19.086-08:00

What started out as a funny quip quickly turned to an illogical reality. I've been setting up my own knitting room, fully furnished with couch, chairs, tables, storage, wine and beverage (Guinness) fridge. I put up some old curtains last night to hide the laundry room and stairway from view at which point Eric pointed out that I had made myself quite a nice cave. I retorted "yeah, it's my '

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-59900596997407587022009-12-31T08:01:00.000-08:002009-12-31T08:44:19.607-08:00

We have a little house. 930 sq ft to be exact, with 5 people that's 186 sq feet per person or the equivalent of almost a 14x14 foot space each but since the kids never leave my 14x 14 space that actually leaves 744 sq ft for my husband, he's very happy here, he says there's plenty of room.December loom's for many reasons but topping the list is the inevitable acquiring of and then fitting in of

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-81023493736246517722009-12-11T08:02:00.000-08:002009-12-11T08:44:49.785-08:00

Suppose that's a pretty vague topic since I could lump a whole slew of issues in there, but one true nemesis remains...laundry. I will, to the chagrin of my family do anything to avoid it. Unfortunately it doesn't offer me the same consideration. The growing, undulating mound, mocks me from every corner. Now the argument to date remains the same. "You chose this" seems to be the line of

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-89471282210458655752009-11-20T14:13:00.000-08:002009-11-20T14:50:47.475-08:00

The month has admittedly gotten away from me and before any hate mail starts rolling in I figure I'd post something!! My first seed catalog came in the mail already, not my favorite but a glimpse of what's to come none the less. As with each season we learned even more than last. More potatoes topping the list. We're definitely still eating them from the fall harvest and will be for a while

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-39729011169380626972009-11-01T09:10:00.000-08:002009-11-01T09:52:16.515-08:00

I actually had to go back in time to see when I first posted about wanting to take up knitting and laughed when I saw it was one year ago. October 3rd I had posted on the sirens call of the clacking needles, while tightly woven, fuzzy strands emerged as if by magic into a creation I could call my own. What I didn't write about was the holes, the dropped stitches, the yarn ripped off needles over

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-24452340894815401442009-10-15T09:05:00.000-07:002009-10-15T10:04:37.246-07:00

While growing up, the worst thing I could do to my sister was to not play with her. Sure, she got mad if I called her bubble-butt. She chased me down with unrelenting speed if she knew I had hid one of her toys and was playing dumb. She cried when I bit the hands and feet off her Barbi. But to actually not want to play? That, was a whole new level. I didn't do it vindictively, I wasn't

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-88487860656215873582009-09-30T09:53:00.000-07:002009-09-30T09:53:27.695-07:00

As per Dictionary.com:  sportsmanlike conduct, as fairness, courtesy, being a cheerful loser, etc.  As per Wikipedia:  conformance to the rules, spirit, and etiquette of sport. More grandly, it may be considered the ethos of sport. It is interesting that the motivation for sport is often an elusive element. Sportsmanship expresses an aspiration or ethos that the activity will be enjoyed for its

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-83521287968912967772009-09-11T14:52:00.000-07:002009-09-11T14:53:06.209-07:00

I think anything that starts off with 'you know I love you' can't really be going in a good direction.  Elaina, I love you, but jeez girl, you're killing me!!!  One day you'll look back on these pages, you'll probably be a bit embarrassed, then you'll get older, possibly have children and then you'll know.  I wasn't the crazy one.  It was you.  Kindergarten started a few weeks ago and admittedly

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-87593391192072077132009-09-04T06:18:00.000-07:002009-09-04T07:15:03.622-07:00

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. ~Colossians 4: 5-6MOPS starts next week. In the words of my daughter "I can't breathe, I can't breathe!!" Alright, I can breathe, but I'm admittedly getting pretty anxious. Yesterday we had our final planning meeting, it's

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-10253502959007272852009-09-01T11:36:00.000-07:002009-09-01T11:53:17.487-07:00

The steaks were nestled between the zucchini on the grill. Smoke curling in fragrant plumes across the yard, the only thing left to do was saute some mushrooms in a generous bourbon spiked sauce. Now if you've cooked with alcohol you would know to get to the source of the true flavor you have to burn off the alcohol. Fire starter in hand, Eric calls to Ethan to watch, wooooosh, flames

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-52802336239755859622009-08-20T18:35:00.000-07:002009-08-20T19:06:04.491-07:00

If you feed a bunch of free range chickens an entire crop of heirloom corn, does that make them heirloom, free-range hens? An entire crop of 10 foot tall Shoepeg Corn, infested...Corn ear worms have set up shop and officially taken over. Every ear I gingerly peeled back was crawling with my new nemesis. I of course get the last laugh since as I peeled them, the girls were waiting not so patiently

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-20399983884424200122009-07-31T18:33:00.000-07:002009-07-31T18:55:53.195-07:00

When normal people use the last of the mayonnaise they make a mental or physical note of the outage and continue on their merry way. When not so normal people, ie: me, run out of mayonnaise they begin scouring cookbooks for that recipe they know they saw. Confident in their abilities, being that they have made said product, once upon a time and it's simply not that hard. There's what? Three

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-52127685483787211232009-07-28T13:00:00.000-07:002009-07-28T13:57:07.830-07:00

I'm still saying girl. Chick's are doing great. They're going to be a flighty bunch. The last ones we hand raised till about 6-7 weeks these guys were on their own outside at 1 week! Hopefully that means they will be more hesitant to be near the dog and save their own necks shall we say. Even the kids are leaving them alone. I'm sure the recent heat wave has something to do with that. I realize

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-27610863417439221972009-07-14T15:04:00.000-07:002009-07-14T15:42:42.421-07:00

I was reading my email this morning and a particular article has resonated through out the day. The writer was talking about pearls. Pearls are formed when a piece of grit, sand or shell get trapped inside an oyster. It protects itself from irritation by secreting a nacreous liquid around the particle which eventually builds into a pearl. The gist of the article being how something so

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-4658210593613990022009-07-10T06:41:00.001-07:002009-07-10T08:47:26.447-07:00

Meet 'Chipmunk'. So named for obvious reasons. A one day old Araucana that flew in under powers not her own, yesterday. Waiting all morning for the call to come get our peeping package. The post office had been notified and numbers left earlier in the week. The company had been gently reminded to make sure our number was on the outside of the package (which upon receipt was noted that it was).

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-80703467946368153292009-07-05T12:42:00.001-07:002009-07-05T13:19:14.893-07:00

Silence. Well, not exactly. I can hear the air conditioner trying to stave off the heat of the day. The gurgling of the fish tank and my MP3 playing in the kitchen. What I don't hear are the squeals of joy, cries of injustice or pleas for attention from the brood. He has taken them. He being dad, his first day off in 2 weeks and they are in search of a new dryer, scratchy towels be damned,

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-59249783784350668652009-07-04T13:53:00.000-07:002009-07-04T14:34:12.516-07:00

When you walk into urgent care on vacation and they ask if you've been in before, you should never be able to say yes. You should not be in the computer system anywhere but your home town, unless of course you're one of my kids. Actually, make that just Elaina. The last time we vacationed in Portland we ended up getting 3 stitches for running into a wall. This time she's on antibiotics for a week

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-40502439085595721312009-06-29T11:56:00.000-07:002009-06-29T12:42:18.106-07:00

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-79173580855313959522009-06-27T15:19:00.000-07:002009-06-27T15:43:37.127-07:00

Or should I say, Kickin' it up a notch? My lovely daughter wanted a mermaid cake and by gum I was determined to make it!! Thank you Cooks Illustrated for the Chocolate Cake recipe and Alice Waters for the Chocolate Buttercream under it all, but a great big ol' pat on the back to me for making the fondant from scratch and putting the whole thing together!!! Admittedly, it ain't perfect but you

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-10974139192708229022009-06-25T07:18:00.000-07:002009-06-25T08:06:11.745-07:00

I know in the coming days I'm going to be overwhelmed with trying to organize her 5th birthday extravaganza (not) so I thought I would be proactive and give Elaina her birthday post a bit early. Five years old. School in two months. When we moved here last year she was going through a screaming phase. For no apparent reason, out or the blue or of course in response to any injustice, she would

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-23056155399550331392009-06-24T13:00:00.000-07:002009-06-24T13:39:32.250-07:00

This whole summer vacation thing is not only a novelty to my kids but to me as well. I was a classic latch key kid, my sister and I wore our keys on a shoestring around our necks to let ourselves in after school. Vacation meant curtains stayed closed and no one went out front. We watched The Price is Right and Perry Mason while playing marathon Monopoly tournaments. Interspersed was the random

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-54268394756307446202009-06-20T08:25:00.000-07:002009-06-20T09:13:02.806-07:00

"You worry about you, don't worry about others." And that's when my mommy radar went on high alert. "You take care of yourself, it's not up to you to worry about me."OK, enough.Um, what's going on here? and why are we being so self-centered?Here it comes..."Well, xxxxx (name withheld to keep eye rolling and tire slashing to a minimum) said that we should only worry about ourselves. It's up to

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-7725580504703458242009-06-13T22:27:00.000-07:002009-06-13T22:54:11.784-07:00

To kick off summer vacation my oldest has gone to see his grandparents, which should be cause for celebration! I only have two to watch AND my mom is here to hang out!! But it's not. The house seems wrong. If Ethan is not here, then he is in school, this in not the case. He's...away. Away from the house, his siblings and me. I know, I know, cry me a river, but honestly. The whole feel of

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-17905161292615259332009-05-24T13:56:00.000-07:002009-05-24T16:58:02.148-07:00

Luckily, we didn't need a stitch. Nothing a little glue and packaging tape apparently can't fix. Next time one of them runs into the corner of a wall, I'm taking them straight to Home Depot. By next time, that really only leaves 1. Elaina turned to sprint down my parents hall over the summer last year and ran smack into the corner there. DING! and down she went. Three stitches. Elijah comes

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-87985219315640749122009-05-19T08:04:00.000-07:002009-05-19T09:16:46.502-07:00

I've started going to a bible study. So if this is taboo ground to you then be forewarned there is talk of faith, trust and general "God" things and you're free to move on to the next blog if you choose. Faith and trust seem to go hand in hand but as I've come to realize, that is not necessarily true. I say I have faith, which I do. I say I trust in God, but I've learned I have to add the

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-17021049360749998312009-05-11T17:44:00.000-07:002009-05-11T18:05:46.445-07:00

My day. Can't say I got to sleep in, but I did get to play "hot/cold" for my present from Ethan. He made me a book, one of many created in his class. It was filled with "I love it whens.." tailored to of course me. The ones that stood out were, "I love my mom because she taught me how to garden" " I know my mom cares because she asks how is school" and my personal favorite "I love to hear my

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-26622693227346439982009-05-04T09:12:00.000-07:002009-05-04T10:00:16.895-07:00

There's something to be said for it. We went wine tasting yesterday, which in itself was great. We've only gone once in the past year and admittedly I miss it. Wine fascinates me as a living, evolving, entity. Tasting it in barrel and trying to predict what shape it will take 6m or a year from now at bottling and how that will change five, ten or 20 years down the line. And being the

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-67266484935424349372009-04-17T11:32:00.001-07:002009-04-17T12:23:23.469-07:00

This is pretty hard for me to admit. I like to think that I'm normally a pretty level headed person. The subject of aliens coming to harvest humans for research has always seemed shall we say a bit 'out there' to say the least. But unfortunately, I've come to experience it first hand.Today as I came in from the garden to wash up, it happened. I walked into the empty bathroom to find the

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-44816148674508978922009-04-13T21:32:00.000-07:002009-04-13T22:15:51.601-07:00

The kids. OK, this is the world's shortest post. Done. Alright, alright I'll elaborate. When I started this I didn't really know why I was doing it. I honestly never read a blog and barely knew what the term meant. There wasn't a list of them I was aspiring to be, I simply knew I was supposed to write one and so I did. It started as a way to work through the voice that keeps popping up in

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-36326145780726511192009-04-10T08:04:00.000-07:002009-04-10T09:07:21.920-07:00

My baby is 3. My baby is no longer, well, a baby.He is potty trained.He knows his ABC's.He yells at me for starting the car before putting on my seat belt and he knows God made the mountains.He can't wear pants, shoes or socks inside.He can't imagine leaving the library with a book not containing a monster truck and his favorite Hot Wheels car is named Sally.Dogs are for riding, chickens are for

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-62570643762848383432009-03-21T21:23:00.000-07:002009-03-21T22:10:21.544-07:00

The topic that's been tossing around in my brain lately (by lately I mean the last couple months) the topic I'm trying to decide how to broach with out sounding like too much of a lunatic is finally coming to fruition. Then of course I realized this post couldn't possibly make me sound any less sane so just go with my gut. AAAHHHH, there it is, my gut. The subject du jour. Mother's intuition,

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-34786534239611215362009-03-18T10:00:00.000-07:002009-03-18T10:37:46.103-07:00

You remember the story, the emperor gets convinced that his new invisible clothing is the latest in high fashion and goes parading around naked. It struck me this morning that I'm doing the same thing. No I'm not doing housework in the buff, much to my husbands dismay. I climb out of the shower and commence the process of "getting ready" for what I'm not sure, but trust me I'm ready for it.

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-58324743581265935602009-03-16T20:47:00.000-07:002009-03-17T12:12:32.297-07:00

In a fleeting moment of desire for convenience, I picked up a box of microwave popcorn at the store last week. Yes, I know, it's a direct slap in the face of all that I've been spouting this past year. But honestly, the supreme ease of quelling Ethan's cries for a before bed snack with a flick of my wrist and a go grab a bag out of the pantry suddenly over came me and the purchase was made.

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-26002589333039193942009-03-05T06:27:00.000-08:002009-03-05T08:24:54.344-08:00

You would think (or should I say I would think) I would be getting wiser with age. Isn't that how the phrase goes? How many times growing up did my parents repeat that to me, "when you're my age...", "xyz is something you learn with age." Well guess what? I'm now officially your age when you said those things and I'm not sure I know anything yet. AND to top it off, I think I've spent the past

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-81504442116607112232009-02-27T20:53:00.000-08:002009-02-27T21:10:39.228-08:00

I like to get a little sometimes, perspective that is, and my kids seem to offer it up in droves. The other night as I was putting dinner on the table, it was your typical week day night. Eric working late, Ethan trying to set the table with Elaina's protests in full swing as to where he was now sitting her. Elijah was trying to grab at whatever food was prematurely placed while Ethan swatted

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-45832511572849635902009-02-20T13:25:00.001-08:002009-02-20T22:39:39.855-08:00

I guess that's the sign of a good book, it makes you think. Whether fiction or non, it puts you in the story. I don't feel like doing an unsolicited book report here but I thought I would just write down a couple things that are really staying with me. This is the true joy of life; the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one, being a force of Nature rather than a

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-7520541327092787622009-02-17T21:40:00.000-08:002009-02-17T22:20:03.381-08:00

Alright, I can take some flack for talking down to the masses for my interpretation of a simple meal and for that you now get a crash course in my pantry staples!!! You'll never do that again will ya!!! HA! First off...you need to make as much of everything as possible and oddly you probably have most the ingredients to do that!!! Bread= flour, water, yeast, sugar/honey, salt, maybe milk and

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-82976309804560161522009-02-14T12:57:00.000-08:002009-02-15T12:12:53.453-08:00

Not my marriage, that's in July.One year ago, I quit my job.One year ago, I had one cup of coffee every morning, now I have to have 2 and another about 3pm.One year ago, I feared my heart was giving out on me, now I feel better than I have in years.One year ago, I was too over-whelmed to watch the kids by myself, now I actually miss being away from them, which doesn't happen often.One year ago, I

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-57645649989261448832009-02-10T17:39:00.000-08:002009-02-10T18:33:48.850-08:00

Since I am supposed to be talking about food and wine too, I figured I would post something on the subject. I realize I started out with good intentions. Putting whatever the nights meal was and recipes on the site, so possibly, one day, the kiddos could look back and say oh that's how she made that! Alas, I quickly discovered how often I make the same stuff and therefore posting the same meal

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-85026208842296155262009-02-08T18:16:00.000-08:002009-02-08T19:07:29.524-08:00

As Ethan's sing-song folly about me having girlfriends comes to an end I can't help but smile. He of course thinks it's oh so funny that mommy would have a girlfriend, considering he can't think of anything quite so disgusting. I laugh and say yes, I do. Not just one girlfriend but many. That is not an easy task mind you. I've spent the better part of the past 10 years with out anyone I felt I

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-24668154119003453132009-02-03T13:22:00.000-08:002009-02-03T14:06:08.262-08:00

You would think 7 years would be enough time to prepare. Enough time to get all my thoughts in order and have it all laid out. Diagrams drawn up, the speech rehearsed but when it comes down to it, I'm simply not ready to have "the talk". Unfortunately with a hormone enraged rooster strutting his stuff the last few days the inevitable is about to happen."Man I caught Crowey being mean to one of

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-1862354890425710282009-01-30T21:46:00.000-08:002009-01-30T22:18:12.478-08:00

You would think since I spent oodles of time trying to give the site a make-over that I would now be flooded with witty quips and kidisms. Unfortunately, no. I wanted to get away from the boxed template feel and as much as I love the pix felt they needed a more consistent tone. I like things simple. Yes, that has been my theme for the last year, simple. Simple food, simple parenting, simple

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-81618569338095101442009-01-24T15:54:00.000-08:002009-01-24T16:29:05.904-08:00

Get your mind out of the gutter. I didn't say the mood. I said that mood. You know the one.The one that means you're one step away from following through on the threat of taking them outside and beating them with a chicken. The one that has you reciting The Lord's Prayer over and over in an attempt to banish your fantasy of blocking off that space under the stairs and shoving them all in it.

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-73476792166469212692009-01-23T12:23:00.000-08:002009-01-23T12:57:42.825-08:00

NOT!!! I'm admittedly craft impaired. Luckily kids can make a craft out of anything. Currently Elaina is sporting some goggles she made out of an egg carton and large amounts of tape. Ethan has made a bird house out of a box, the rest of the egg carton and some plastic wrap. The birds will eat out of the egg cartons and live in the box. It's an "ice" day off from school so sitting at the

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-14727075549814142322009-01-22T08:24:00.000-08:002009-01-22T12:38:42.363-08:00

Oh yes, we are in full lock down. It started with Elaina and I, we recruited Elijah yesterday and today Ethan has joined our ranks. Since for some unknown reason, only to be explained by the evil virus coursing through my body, I uncharacteristically opted out of taking any sleepy medicine last night. Waking up every 15 minutes in shivering fits while bundled in my electric blanket, I was able to

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-72015699740178371942009-01-16T13:17:00.000-08:002009-01-16T14:28:53.505-08:00

At what point in my life did I decide the definition of good enough. Currently, I get up in the morning look myself in the mirror and make a decision. Shower or not? In the shower, do I really need to wash my hair or is it a pony day? Little gloss and some mascara or full on re-do? Getting dressed, should I wear the shirt w/2 spots? I can cover it with that sweater that only has 1 or just go

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-62298652928900674632009-01-14T16:26:00.000-08:002009-01-14T16:59:26.439-08:00

I read an article about blogs and how "mom blogs" are some of the most popular because we have such a wealth of situations that we can write about. There's work if the mom doesn't stay home, home if she does, the kids, dog, in our case stupid chickens, our hobbies ie; reading, photography, knitting, drinking heavily after the kids go to bed, favorite recipes... you get the idea. We can vent

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-2377166225875549962009-01-06T11:29:00.000-08:002009-01-06T18:11:15.406-08:00

Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom? that comprises 90% of the conversations in my house. Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom? Mom? about the 23rd one my response is markedly harried. WHHHAAAAAT????? I plead. But the inquiry is quickly lost, the adhd that all humans under the age of 16 suffer from has kicked in and they have moved on. When they are newborns you can tell by the cry what's wrong. oh

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-47526227935017465372009-01-03T08:58:00.000-08:002009-01-03T09:41:14.620-08:00

It was actually pretty comical for me to re-write the post yesterday considering that feel-good-oh-it's-beautiful-blah-blah-blah-thing ended weeks ago. The following was written on December 27th, Ethan's 7th Birthday. So ends the honeymoonYes, it was pretty. Yes, it was majestic, serene, unencumbered, weightless fluff. Now it just sucks. The kids are done playing in it. I'm done shoveling it. the

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-23207947029728407642009-01-02T10:25:00.000-08:002009-01-02T10:58:11.224-08:00

Yes, I know. It's been a while. Rest assured I have a valid explanation. The computer died and with a full blown winter storm coming 2 days later I was stranded, unable to get to my parents who had a new computer for us. The long story short version goes something like this... Right after Thanksgiving our pastor called for a fast(food) the idea of fasting from the computer admittedly popped

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-90227817604004375202008-12-04T17:15:00.000-08:002008-12-04T17:43:51.795-08:00

As I crunched my way across the now frozen grass I questioned our sanity in moving to some place that it's 30-degree's at 4:30pm. I'm watching my 'dragon breath' as Elijah calls it surround my head with every step as I near the mailbox. I heft out the pile of catalogs, magazines, bills and lone Christmas card (thanks mom) and hurry back inside. Perusing the pile I toss the Harry and David,

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-88236108729472776302008-11-29T07:49:00.000-08:002008-11-29T08:23:37.277-08:00

With a newborn most mom's find it rather brain rattling to partake in a shower. What if the baby rolls over for the first time off the couch, down the stairs and into that large hole we've been meaning to fill in the basement???? He could get hungry and start to cry while I'm humming a tune and I'll emerge from my bliss to a withered little mass with recessed eyes and protruding belly all

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-16862300170434883672008-11-24T12:13:00.000-08:002008-11-24T17:54:20.139-08:00

Unlike cat's, kids have way more then 9 lives. I'm confident I save their lives multiple times a week if not every day! Much like today as I'm pulling out my hair to get everyone to at least go to the door so we can take Chloe to the dog park. The screaming ensues, why? I don't really know, something about Ethan touching the door knob. Now Elaina won't go outside. I carry her kicking and

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-74486467123522173832008-11-23T12:09:00.000-08:002008-11-23T12:53:53.658-08:00

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, (where?) down in my heart, (where?), down in my heart, I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, (where?) down in my heart to stay. When my mom told me a while back that this was new term in the dictionary, I actually laughed. Seriously, what in the world is an earworm and how do I avoid getting it? Will the kids bring it home from

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-90536911525285761542008-11-22T13:33:00.000-08:002008-11-23T07:57:17.771-08:00

Why this has become my mantra as of late baffles me. Maybe I'm becoming hypersensitive to the doom and gloom attitude persisting around me. I don't want to be Molly Sunshine here but really people this world is bigger than just you. I think how many situations that at the time put me in the deepest pit of despair. How many woe is me moments I've accumulated in the past ump-teen years and yet, at

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-53781171374560578612008-11-20T12:28:00.000-08:002008-11-20T13:03:45.383-08:00

I somehow feel like I should have something pseudo monumental to write. Truth be known. I'm simply not that interesting. Our days are filled with pretty much the same relatively unexciting stuff. We get up, we clean, we head out some place, we come back, clean, we cook some stuff, we clean, we get Ethan, we clean and yet at the end of the day this place still needs to be cleaned. I

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-63209468104701743692008-11-17T07:07:00.001-08:002008-11-17T09:50:01.874-08:00

Girls are quiet, contemplative, gentle. They don't leap, they consider.Girls hate creeping things with more legs then they have.Girls like sunshine, a good book and a windowsill. They want to grow up to be what ever mom is and can't aspire to do it any better. Planning their dream wedding to the shining knight on the valiant steed occupies her days.Girls know the bigger the castle they reside,

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-36535209935579973982008-11-16T08:15:00.000-08:002008-11-16T08:58:59.490-08:00

I'm coming to the realization that most things in life are about the process. Making waffles this morning, the kids are all too eager to make, get, butter, slather on syrup, cut up and then leave to go watch cartoons all with out taking a bite of said waffle. My husband loves to make cheesecake, giant, beautiful, 10 lb orbs of sweet, creamy goodness that he has no intention of eating, but he

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-19669980918626029722008-11-14T09:06:00.000-08:002008-11-14T09:58:55.722-08:00

Some parents use toys, other's use candy, ponies, trips to Disney or what ever else floats their little cherubs boats. I use food. Waking up this morning to a brisk 28-degrees, I knew cocoa was in order. Yes, as the kiddo's were curled snugly in their beds, I was plotting. Hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows, accompanied by fresh made honey wheat toast would be this mornings menu. The

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-74997737245637572522008-11-12T12:37:00.000-08:002008-11-12T13:10:55.337-08:00

I do not have a big S on my chest, I am certainly not faster than a speeding bullet and at 36 I'm not leaping over anything any time soon. So why is it that doing the stuff any normal mom does earns me this coveted title of being "Super"?I think it's something that is thrown around haphazardly. It's done honestly of course, to make us feel like we're doing wonderful things, which any mom is.

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-66461562149366297842008-11-11T06:05:00.001-08:002008-11-11T17:40:10.423-08:00

I remember in my teen's going with some friends into an art gallery/store at the coast and being escorted out because I had verbalized the fact that I simply didn't get it. A stick figure in black, drawn on a white sheet 8.5 x 11 selling for $50. No, I still don't get it. I'm not saying I don't get art. I deeply love the spider people my daughter draws for me, all head with legs and arms. Or

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-21151194485213098552008-11-08T08:00:00.000-08:002008-11-08T14:11:51.731-08:00

Studies have shown that after child birth we suffer a certain amount of memory loss, lasting at least a year and it's unknown if it ever actually gets better. I'm confident after putting a teaspoon of salt in my coffee this morning that it does not. When I was working I would laugh the first time I would drive past an account, my mind elsewhere. After turning around and heading back I would then

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-396515010789918312008-11-07T12:01:00.000-08:002008-11-07T12:38:19.995-08:00

When they handed that screaming, wrinkled, mis-shapen bundle over to me the first time, all I could think was how this was mine. Mine to grow, keep safe and mold into the future adult they would all eventually become. We think of it as a mother's job to raise the child, hopefully along with the father or at the very least an involved extended family. We fret over what they will eventually

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-87726435978266137372008-11-05T09:58:00.000-08:002008-11-05T12:36:30.702-08:00

First I have to give props to Creektown Cafe. Eric surprised me with date night so we went and had yet another truly amazing meal. I cant seem to say enough about how well thought out their menu is, combinations I would never dream up and yet work seamlessly. From our appetizer of squash panne cotta to my vegetarian entree of squash gnocchi (that we coined as little pillows of love) w/

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-85997262065380816842008-11-04T12:24:00.000-08:002008-11-04T13:05:34.292-08:00

On this ever festive election day I can't resist a post of political nature. Don't worry I'm not endorsing anyone. No really. I'm literally not endorsing anyone. I honestly couldn't give a flying pink elephant who we wake up to as President. It simply doesn't matter. Don't get me wrong, I did vote. But in the bigger picture it really matters not. I'm so excruciatingly happy that Ive come to this

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-58641818032563291972008-11-02T12:12:00.000-08:002008-11-02T12:32:00.852-08:00

Usually that's something I actually crave. A specific answer amongst all the chaos. Shine that beam on me, let the clouds part and tell me what to do. We all want it, that is until it happens. Seriously. Yesterday I was asked to lead a small group discussion. No problem, I can talk all day. Uh Oh, the cheat sheet says I have to open w/a prayer. me. a prayer. OK, I am a christian, I know

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-57357641883625823972008-10-31T08:36:00.000-07:002008-10-31T09:17:21.231-07:00

Holy cupcake day!!! I somehow managed to bake and decorate 4 yes 4 dozen cupcakes yesterday. 3 dozen of which went promptly to Ethan's class party and the remaining dozen will be going to our church's Harvest Festival cake walk. They turned out really well for a rookie attempt at decorating, pastry chef I am not. Unfortunately they taste just like giant sugar cookies which I have an affinity

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-77653707590254244472008-10-30T06:45:00.000-07:002008-10-30T08:56:14.385-07:00

"I go poopy like Chloe!!!"Great, that would explain what Chloe is eating and smeared all over her side.Elijah my baby is potty training. I’ve tried a few other half hearted efforts but now it's game on. To be done with diapers brings a tear to my eye, NOT! I've been elbow deep in someone else's bodily functions for six and a half years and would like to now narrow the list to simply, me. I

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-48861303298419760112008-10-29T05:32:00.000-07:002008-10-29T17:51:47.348-07:00

I will first say that I'm well aware that this post should be about Elijah. But since it took me a full week to write about Elaina I figure I can take a little time to formulate my thoughts on my youngest. Being that its 5am and I'm on the computer thanks to our latest edition, I figured I’d honor her w/a post. Chloe as I have named her, is a 10wk old English Springer. Seriously the cutest thing

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-38692555382665981242008-10-28T09:10:00.000-07:002008-10-29T17:56:09.245-07:00

My nemesis. Where to begin. I love this girl, yes it's true. Here come's the but, but man she will be the death of me. Elaina started off easy enough. She popped out on the second push and barely cried. She slept constantly and almost completely through the night from the get go, we were in heaven. That should've been my blazing red flag, but no. She now practice's free will to the n'th degree.

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-14858114379897509512008-10-16T14:16:00.000-07:002008-10-28T09:53:08.333-07:00

Thinking about why I'm even doing this whole "blog" thing Ive decided its more a memoir for my kids. Hopefully one day they will read it and know deep in their hearts the real reason mommy went wacky. Reason number one being my oldest Ethan. I feel like I should apologise 100 times for all the ways we already completely screwed him up and possibly set aside some money for the psychiatric help he

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-15676791549501284222008-10-03T11:47:00.000-07:002008-10-03T12:25:54.735-07:00

Here we go. Drawing from my father's vast array of talents/love of any hobby Ive now decided I want to try knitting. With winter fast approaching and my garden needing less tending I figure this would be a good time to start. I have a friend that says she can teach me (we'll see about that) it doesnt seem like rocket science and am now wondering if a good book is all I need. Ive actually wanted

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-3173684236634333462008-09-30T08:12:00.000-07:002008-09-30T08:41:14.982-07:00

It's been brought to my attention that I haven't posted for a while. Well that's because a full blown sinus bug has taken over my head and is impairing me from making any cognizant thoughts. The only thing I can come up w/is to gripe about the situation which is going on a week, yes I know a week is nothing. Doctors wont even let you in the door until a full 14 days have passed at which point

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-45987641845209004962008-09-19T10:01:00.000-07:002008-09-19T10:17:40.860-07:00

"IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNT CEEEEERRRRRRREEEEEEAAAAALLLL!!!!Honestly she's lucky we dont have space under our stairwell because she would be there. she of course being elaina. my princess. my girl. her default mode for asking is to screeeeeaaaaam!!! granted this doesnt happen everyday and she does oddly know how to ask and get a normal response from me but man when the mood

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-67710680994180076752008-09-16T13:46:00.000-07:002008-09-16T14:14:25.451-07:00

playdates. you can love 'em or hate 'em. as a fairly new stay at home mom they are vital to me so I don't go completely insane alone w/my kids all day. getting out to talk w/other mom's even if it is about our kids is something I look forward to every week. why then do I suck so badly at it? maybe because Ive spent the past 6 1/2 years of having children w/a not so flexible schedule and

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-5607323421840482472008-09-11T13:02:00.000-07:002008-11-03T16:45:02.980-08:00

Am I a giver? I think if I posed that question to friends and family they would say yes! "you have 3 kids, you stay at home, you give your time and energy to your family" but does that make me a giver? Sure we gave the presents from Ethan's bday last year to a charity that he choose, we give in the literal sense at church, but is that all I have? Ive undertaken being the Hospitality Team Leader

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-79035575952552898592008-09-08T10:01:00.000-07:002008-09-08T11:07:23.243-07:00

BARK, BARK, BARK, BARK, BARK, BARK, BARK, BARK, BARK, BARK, BARK, BARK... Ugh. It's 2:34am Whinnie wanted out desperately so I let her, propped the back door and went back to bed now she's going crazy about something. I get up to call her back in, coming w/in 5 feet of the door the stench of skunk is overwhelming. Crap! I call her fearing the worst and give her a quick sniff test. she's fine. no

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-25661927352857801042008-09-07T14:10:00.000-07:002008-09-07T14:57:23.854-07:00

Almost a full week has past since I last sat here and spilled the thoughts that been over flowing in my head. I've come to realize that regular bloggers must be partially schizophrenic since in the short week that Ive been tackling this I cant seem to quiet the running narrative in my head w/everything I do. If I start talking about myself in third person I will seek help. The problem seems to

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-90860187658635283112008-09-01T12:03:00.000-07:002008-09-01T12:58:26.098-07:00

"Good morning Ladies!!!!" I say conjuring up my best Howie Mandel via Deal or No Deal. The morning ritual of letting our chickens out for the day always begins the same. They start clucking around 6 and are down right angry by 7, spoiled rotten hens. I admittedly thought my husband was crazy for even suggesting chickens. When he started spouting off how easy and beneficial it would be for us all

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-3154442976237161192008-08-31T11:52:00.000-07:002008-08-31T18:19:45.808-07:00

Another where to begin topic. We finally found a home church. After 10 years of marriage and countless attempts at different denominations none of which ever clicked. The last being a non-denominational church much like the one we are going to now. Unfortunately the timing was off, I had just had a miscarriage at 13 wks, my husband thought church was the place we needed to be and I simply wasnt

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-46329172103760316052008-08-30T13:51:00.000-07:002008-08-31T09:09:32.084-07:00

As an aspiring locavore I have come to absolutely love Saturday. Saturday is farmers market day. If Im not growing it myself then Im buying it at the farmers market where the flavors simply cant be beat. With 3 kids I want to make meals quick and have them taste their best, even if they only eat 2 bites of their zucchini I know what little they got in them is far better than an entire one shipped

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-83857698527843052462008-08-29T06:59:00.000-07:002008-08-30T07:15:10.943-07:00

When I was in elementary school, oh so many years ago, there were lots things you could always count on. Chocolate milk on Thursday, school open unless God forbid it snowed or in our case in the pacific NW an ice storm and I honestly don't remember ANY homework. Now that I have one that has gone through a grade in the public school system and embarking on another, I'm forming some theories.

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3936474633327665118.post-79472495374417228922008-08-28T13:05:00.000-07:002008-08-29T15:23:52.672-07:00

Not knowing what I'm doing but jumping in w/both feet seem to be the course of my life as of late and therefore not surprisingly my first blog. I can start from the beginning as I see it but that would take an amazingly long time so we will start w/back to school.yesterday was Ethan's first day of first grade. yes of course he did the whole kindergarten thing but now he's in the numbers, the

Shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02931231948728966910noreply@blogger.com1