Nobody

I have this person in our house and their name is "Nobody". Nobody does all the bad things around the house.

Here are a few examples:

1. Nobody put my novel, "Breaking Dawn" underneath the boy's bathroom sink.

2. Nobody peed in the cleaning bucket in the laundry room which created a FOUL smell!

3. Nobody puts toys on the floor.

4. Nobody puts dirty underwear behind the bookcase.

5. Nobody is talking when it is time to go to sleep.

You just wait until I get my hands on Nobody!

Aislinn's Pre-school concert

Chris, Greyson, Aislinn and I headed to St. Edward's last night to see Aislinn in her spring concert. I'm not really sure why she had her fingers in her mouth, but I think she was a little nervous. In her line, are all the 'kindergarten friends'. My baby is growing up!

Aislinn was a great 'Mama duck'.
The three oldest kids didn't get to go since the boys had scouts and Kerstyn had her Activity Days meeting.

It is kind of bitter sweet that my kids are growing up. I'm enjoying it, but missing having younger kids too. That makes absolutely no sense, I know.

What a difference

a year can make!

Family Picture 2008

Family 2009

The parents 2008

All I have to say here is, "OH MY!"

The parents 2009
Much, much better! I sure hope I can keep it off!

Couponing

I went to a Relief Society Meeting tonight about couponing. I am hoping to do better at this and Maria and Kristen are more than willing to help.

First step, today I cut out the Albertson's coupon for saving $5.00 on $50.00 or more. I can spend that without blinking, so I'm looking forward to using it. The only catch, it is only good on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Guess I need to make a trip to Publix on Friday...

That is the beginning of my plan to spend less and save more. We'll see how it goes.

Not as young as I think

I had my personal training appointment tonight, like I always do on Monday nights. I look forward to 6 p.m. because I know that I will be pushed to my limit, and I love that! However, tonight was a little different. I was doing lunges with 20 pound weights in each hand but every time I went forward with the right leg, my knee would hurt, right under the knee cap. When I told Charlie where it was hurting, he wouldn't allow me to use the weights on my last set.

This was the first time that I have ever had something hurt like that. A bad hurt, not a good one...

So, my point of this post is just that, I guess I'm not as young as I used to be. :(

Chris says I need to take care of myself. I wonder why?

Here are a few...

of my favorite things:

Sunday family time - I really like no fussing and complete harmony in the home, however, I've realized that is not something that is going to happen. So, I'll take just 'kinda' getting along for now.

Music - All kinds. In particular, today, I love the opportunities I have been given to share my music gift with others by playing the piano and conducting music. Yes, I'm on the 'top' of my roller coaster relationship with being the choir director right now so I'm going to write about it here so when I'm 'down' I can look on here and remember. Note to self, look here next Sunday... ;)

The stake choir is going to be amazing when we sing on May 16. I can't wait...

The gospel - I love that I can feel the spirit. I love that I know what it is and that I have the opportunity to acknowledge it in my life. I am thankful for the scriptures and the opportunity I have to learn from them. I am thankful for my opportunity to grow when I receive callings.

The gym - I love that I can go there and improve my physical health. I love even more, that I can go there, and it allows my children to have a happier mom and my husband, a happier wife. Get my drift?

How we spell fun

We got up this morning and headed to Typhoon Lagoon. However, we were short Brennan since he is camping at his last 'Shakedown' camp out before they head to the National Jamboree the end of July.

Chris and I commented throughout the day that we really missed him being there. We certainly didn't feel complete...

However, I had no trouble at all finding my favorite things...

T A S T Y!

As if we hadn't eaten enough at the park, we stopped at Chili's in Apopka and ate some more...Kerstyn, Aislinn and Lauklan

My girls
Greyson and me

Very tired parents...

My good deal

My sister in law Holly loves a good deal. Well, I do too, but I find that I am not as patient as she is and therefore, I don't get as many 'good deals' as she does.

However, I got what I considered to be good deal last night.

I am rushed on Wednesday to get everyone where they need to be when they need to get there, so I usually feed the kids McDonald's that night and they eat it in the car on the way to church. But, with 5 kids to feed, even McDonald's can be pricey. It usually ran me around $25 to get them all meals.

Until today...

I got each of them either dollar menu items or less and I left McDonald's only $16 lighter! They had cheeseburgers on sale for 69 cents and I got 5 of them. 2 for Brennan, 2 for Kerstyn and one for Lauklan minus pickles.

Aislinn got a McChicken for a buck and Greyson got one too, minus the mayo. ( I love mayo, therefore is he really my child?)

5 dollar fries

3 dollar powerades and 2 dollar sprites.

Done!

Good for me!

Totally cool!

We were told Sunday at church that Elder Anderson from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles would be attending a special Stake Conference for our stake on May 16.

Wow! An apostle in our building talking to me (and several hundred others, but me, none the less)! To say that I am excited, would be an understatement.

To top it off...

President Carter has asked me to lead a stake choir!

I sure hope I don't fall or trip or anything else totally weird.

I can't wait for the opportunity to rehearse and perform for this conference. I know what music can do for a meeting and I am super blessed to have the opportunity to be a part of it.

What the boys do...

Friday night, Brennan headed out with his troop to a Camporee. Chris arrived late Friday night to spend the night and all of Saturday with him. Chris took some pictures of what cool activities they had for the boys to do.

Brennan and the boys doing the water rocket.

Tire changing activity.
Team building exercise

Decifering Morse Code.

As a parent, I am thankful for Boy Scouting. I believe that it teaches great things to our boys, leadership and being well rounded just to get started.

From what I heard they all had a great time and the mosquitos were quite happy to see Chris...

Just so you know...

He is still alive. Me too.

Good thing!

I had to get in there right after I took the picture from yesterday and help him out. He was supposed to be sorting and organizing and I think he was more playing. Anyway, it is done. I am happier. He is alive.

All is well.

See anything here that might bother me?

The above picture would be Brennan's room right now.

H E L P.

Talk about a roller coaster!

I cried the whole way to church.

When I got there and I tried to get a hold of myself. I farmed out Lauklan, Greyson and Aislinn to Nellie and Frances Lugo and I sat on the stand with the choir.

We sang If You Could Hie To Kolob. All I have to say is "wow".

I played the piano worse today in Primary than ever, but I thought the children sang "We are True" perfectly.

I made grilled cheese for lunch but I didn't burn any which is good.

We'll see what lies ahead...

Mornings like the one I had today make me realize how much I have to learn about this parenting job of mine.

Typhoon Lagoon

While Chris and Brennan were having good 'ole Boy Scout fun, Kerstyn, Lauklan, Greyson, Aislinn and I headed to Typhoon Lagoon.

Aislinn took that of me, I think she did pretty well.

Lauklan and Greyson
Ouch! Lauklan was in a bit too shallow of water in the wave pool today. I am really glad that he had his shirt on because I know it would have been much worse without it. He said, "I'm fine Mom, really I am".

Kerstyn


Aislinn


The kids really did have fun today. There was minimal fussing and that made me have a good time. We ate at California Pizza Kitchen for dinner and the kids really liked that.


Needless to say, everyone went to sleep without any trouble.

Just a glimpse

Kerstyn was selected to be in the Lake and Sumter Honor Choir for the Elementary school children.

She had rehearsals yesterday from 3 - 7 and today from 1 until performance time at 7. I know that she had a wonderful time because she smiled from ear to ear the whole time. It was so nice to see it.

While they were performing tonight, I believe that I started to get a glimpse of how my parents felt while they watched me perform through all the years. I had tears rolling down my face.

I was so proud of her.

Why is it so hard for me to tell her? Is it because we are so much alike?

Kerstyn and I after the performance. She is wearing my shirt and I am wearing heels and she is not. We're getting to the end of me being taller than her that is for sure!

Proud parents

Ouch!

I trained with Charlie, my personal trainer, for an hour today. We usually only meet for 30 minutes, but today, lucky me, I got an hour.

We only did legs.

This isn't going to be pretty... Motrin and I are going to be really good friends, I can tell already. ;)

I'm not really complaining, I like this kind of hurting. It means that I'm making good progress. I like that. A lot.

The visit

I had an appointment for my yearly stuff yesterday.

I passed one section but not the other.

My ob/gyn referred me to another primary care physician to address the night sweats that I have several times a month.

He also referred me to a breast specialist because I have something there that they don't know what it is. I've already had a mammogram and an ultrasound along with extensive blood work so I'm not too concerned, more annoyed, I guess.

However, I guess I do need to find out what is really going on with me. :( I don't have time for this.

Pictures from Spring Break

I just received some pictures that my sister in law took while she was down visiting and I thought I would post some of them...

Above you see one some serious hanging out at Yoo-Ma and Papa's house. We eat, play video games, and try to drive Neil absolutely crazy! Oh yeah, and swim too... Vicki and me at the temple
Some of the 'playing' in the pool mentioned above.
Being silly with their cousins.

Kerstyn and Kylea
Yoo-Ma (Mom), Papa (Dad), Vicki, me and 7 of Mom and Dad's grandchildren eating at Cracker Barrel.

Aislinn waiting before sliding down Mom and Dad's slide. I must have gone down that thing thousands of times growing up. I really love to see them enjoy their pool, it brings back such memories.

Cutie!

Wonder what my job is?

It would be this!

If you click on 'this' you will be linked to Elder L. Tom Perry's talk in conference titled "Mothers Teaching Children In The Home".

I was moved by many of the talks in General Conference and I can't wait to read them all again. I was overwhelmed with the feeling that our leaders are very worried about our children.

That worries me.

Here are a few of the statements in that talk that stuck out to me:

"Parents must resolve that teaching in the home is a most sacred and important responsibility."

"Parents must bring light and truth into their homes..."

"The health of any society, the happiness of its people, their prosperity, and their peace all find common roots in the teaching of children in the home."

"Teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ in the home adds another layer of insulation to protect our children from worldly influences."

What is great about that though is the fact that while they are worried, they follow that concern with specific instruction on how to help them. I pray that I do my part.

I encourage all of you to study their words too.

Blizzard Beach, take 2.

Same stuff, different day.

More fun, plus Dad!

Blizzard Beach, Take 1

The kids and I went to Blizzard Beach today. It was our first trip there since last fall and we were ready! Today, however, we were joined by Mary and Taylor. We all had a great time.
Mary and me

Aislinn doing the zip line. She was scared at first, but once she did it once, she did it all day. Not kidding, all day! I loved watching her do it too!

Lauklan doing the zip line.
Greyson falling from the line.

We're hoping to go with Chris tomorrow for day 2.

It seems really cold to me...

But they don't seem to care at all!

They are all really enjoying the pool again and I like that it makes them quite tired at the end of the day... ;)

Temple trip and swimming day

Today was just gorgeous! After another breakfast at Cracker Barrell and some more swimming, we loaded everyone up and went on a field trip to the temple.

Afterwards, it was time for TCBY then back home for more swimming and eating.

It is becoming very clear that we do a LOT of eating and swimming... ;)

Coming home!

Vicki, the kids and I all headed back here late this afternoon. We had a great time at Mom and Dad's and the kids loved playing at Yoo-Ma and Papa's.

Daddy wasn't feeling well for Monday afternoon, so we didn't get to spend as much time with him, but he headed off to work and I hope he improves quickly.

After arriving home, the kids got in the pool and we fed them leftovers galore.

Bedtime... well, it was late.

Swimming, eating and playing at Yoo-Ma's and Papa's

The pool above is the pool that I grew up swimming in. It is also the pool that inspired our pool at our home. I love that pool. Now, the kids love that pool! I have such great memories there as a child and I am so glad that my children have the opportunity to make memories there too.

I think Cracker Barrel is my favorite place to eat! We all love it there and especially when we are there with family.

All we can say about that is "FUN".

Easter 2010 Shipley Style

Happy Easter!

General Conference

Wonderful.

Inspiring.

Scary.

Moving.

Uplifting.

Perfect.

Both days.

All sessions!

Clash of the Titans

It was Chris' turn to pick what we did for date night and he chose to go see Clash of the Titans.

My recommendation, don't waste your money, but do go on dates with your husband. ;)

Drain field

We have been having MAJOR trouble with the septic system. It was determined in November that the drain field was saturated and not draining. So, that meant that we sometimes couldn't flush our toilets and do laundry or dishes.

Needless to say, it was EXTREMELY stressful for me.

Well, today arrived relief! I felt like a huge weight was lifted. As soon as they dug the ground from around the existing drain field, the water started draining like a faucet. I couldn't believe it. It was very bad.

The men who fixed it dug the trenches by hand. I think they were slightly crazy, but the job is done and I am glad! They told me that I should never have any more problems! I sure hope that is the case.