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.

He's shy, I'm not

We're pretty different.

However, we have a lot in common too. One thing that we really love, is each other!

It's not easy.

Sometimes it's not even fun.

But, it is marriage, and we're trying our best.

I'm just glad he's willing to take it on.

He really didn't want to do a kissing picture, but he did. I'm so glad.

Laying on the floor

Yep, I did it. I layed on the floor of the gym during my personal training session last night. Charlie, my trainer, had me doing a 300 workout which about killed me. No kidding! Then to top it off, I went to cycle class after that. What was I thinking?

Chuck E. Cheese's and shopping

I got all the kids off to school and stopped into the office and then headed home to Michelle and CJ whom I found playing hockey on the Wii. It was so cute!

Mich, CJ and I got into the car and headed to Altamonte Springs to let CJ play at Chuck E. Cheese's. He played his little heart out while Mich and I ate and laughed. I loved every minute of it.

On our way there, we spotted a Kohl's and of course, we had to stop in on our way back. Michelle is really working with me on getting some accessories, so I bought two bracelets that I sure hope I know when to put on.

After getting home, I got the kids and when I got home the youngest 4 were swimming with CJ. They headed home when I headed to the gym.

I loved EVERY minute of my visit with them. The only sad thing was when the time came for them to leave. :(

Visiting

Michelle and CJ arrived today around 3. The kids were so happy to see CJ and they all played and played! That was great, becuase that gave Michelle and I the opportunity to visit.

We had a dinner that sweet little CJ tolerated and then sent them to bed. They were supposed to go to sleep, but that didn't happen, of course. But, Mich and I watched a movie while Chris serenaded us with snoring.

I can't wait for tomorrow.

Finally, in the pool

It is cold, but they were in. I'm really looking forward to them being able to enjoy it this summer because it is really helpful. You know what I mean...

Friends

I feel blessed to have great friends. I know that they are hard to come by and I have had to lean on them quite a bit the last year or so. I am thankful that they have been there for me.

I know that sometimes I am not the best friend. I don't do high maintenance well. However, the ones that I have stick with me through thick and thin.

I also thought tonight while I was passing out the brownie sundae dessert at the baby shower for Katelyn that I have quite an odd personality too. I guess that most of you already know that though. Just tell me to be quiet when you need to. Deal?

New rule

Chris and I decided to implement a new homework rule at the house. We are really trying to help Brennan and all the kids for that matter be successful in school.

So the rule is, that you come home from school and sit at the table to do your homework. Brennan and Kerstyn are to devote one hour to homework and or reading time.

Lauklan, Greyson and Aislinn are to do their homework, read and or color for at least 30 minutes and then the other 30 minutes they are to go outside to play or play quietly in their rooms as to not disturb the older children as they finish their work.

Well... you would have thought I was killing Brennan when I told him the rule. He did NOT want to sit at the table. But, he did it. He even survived to live through the night.

Now, will we see improvement? I pray so.

Wow, parenting is hard, hard work! It pulls at heart strings that I didn't even know were there.

Relaxing Sabbath though busy

We all got up and made it to church on time. Clean, dressed and fed! I told the kids after we were all in the car that they did a good job. I don't think I even raised my voice!

Church was great except for the pouring rain that was trying to ruin my straightened hair! ;)

I lead the music in primary since Debbie is out of town and Lurlene played the piano. I always love to work with the children, so it was a lot of fun for me.

After church, we came home and ate grilled cheese that was hold us over until dinner time. The Shaw's came over and ate with us which was fun.

Chris had a meeting at 6 and Brennan had a fireside at 7 so the evening was busy, but good.

I hope we have enough charge in our batteries to make it through the week. Spring Break isn't that far away...

Cycle, chores and EPCOT

I got up this morning and had a bad attitude, again. Ugh. So, Chris sent me off to cycle class at the gym and for a better attitude. I came hope with a better attitude, it worked!

Chris and the kids did some chores around the house while I was gone and when I got back, I did some too then we finally headed off to EPCOT for the afternoon and evening. We met Disney Grandma there too.

We headed straight to ride Soarin which was an hour and a half wait but quite fun once we finally got on it. After that, we walked around the countries and ate, of course! Don't forget that we stopped at practically every bathroom too!

There was only a 5 minute wait to do Mission Space, which we did and some of the kids did twice, then we headed to the Test track where the wait was only 30 minutes.

It was after 9:30 when we finally got to the parking lot and we were all tired, but happy.

Getting up tomorrow and showered and ready for church should be interesting. To top it off, I won't have Chris to help because he needs to be in Belleview. We did it last week, but I had Grandma's help, so we'll see how I do tomorrow all by myself.

Can you hope for this?

I think I can. There was even one speaker at Time Out For Women that talked about it.

I hope today, for a better attitude. Yesterday, I had a rough day. I was down on myself, discouraged, gloomy, you name it. Sad.

I know that life is crazy sometimes and certainly not like the rosy picture that I would love to see. However, I also realize that my life is nowhere near as bad or rough as some. So, why do I get discouraged? Why can't I just see the good and focus on that. It's all about perspective really and I should just choose to be positive.

I need to go back to my hope focus, at least internally. Things aren't perfect, they never will be and some things that I worry about I can't possibly change, so I should stop.

I'm going to try.

Today, I'm looking for the good. It's all around me, I'm going to focus on that and move forward.

Pictures from the Magic Kingdom on March 13

I'm finally posting the pictures from Magic Kingdom on March 13. We really had a good time, but it was SUPER busy!

All of the kids after our first bathroom stop of the day.

Me

Disney Grandma on the monorail. I think this is a really good picture of her.

Monorail of Lauklan and Kerstyn

On the monorail on the way in to the Magic Kingdom.

Brennan in his Mad Hatter hat. The people in the park loved it and he got many, many compliments.
Kerstyn and Greyson with Eeyore.
The Mad Hatter and Eeyore.

All of the kids with Eeyore and me.

We ate lunch at Crystal Palace to celebrate my birthday. That is one of our favorite places to eat at the Magic Kingdom.