I'm off!

I flew up to Richmond this afternoon to celebrate Mark's 50th birthday with him and my family all weekend.

Vicki picked me up around 4:45 and Reed arrived in the Richmond area about that time. We all met up with Mark and Joey at Olive Garden about a quarter till 8 and we had a wonderful dinner. For some reason my camera did not want to work properly, so I don't have any good pictures from that night.

You can be assured though, that we had fun!

Tomorrow, Mom and Dad arrive.

Overload

I went out to dinner tonight with Stephanie Shaw and I committed gluttony.

I promise, I will NEVER do that again!

Yuck.

What is our goal?

I was quite frustrated today by the time I got back to church to pick up the 3 older kids that had church activities. I had run around all day trying to get everything done and get everyone where they needed to go.

So, when I got back to church around 8:30 tonight and 2 of my 3 kids were upset. Kerstyn was crying and Brennan was frustrated, I was not happy!

Are we while serving in the church trying to help save the children or run them off? I thought our goal was to save the children. Then I suggest that we do our best as leaders, teacher, and friends, to make them feel welcome and successful instead of outsiders and failures.

Anyone agree?

After I spoke to someone in the Primary Presidency and the Bishopric counselor over Young Men, I felt better. I want nothing more than a forever family and I will be the first to admit that I need help. So, I beg all, help me save my family. Love us, love them and help us find the way.

Isn't that our goal?

Frustration!

We were told yesterday that we will not get into the building this weekend.

The next weekend, that we could move is the weekend that Chris and I will be in Salt Lake City. I thought we weren't going to be able to go at first, but we decided at the end of several very curt phone calls between each other (which is not normal at all!), that we were going to go and that we would postpone the move until the second weekend in October.

We were also told yesterday by the phone company that there is NO WAY to get 8 phone lines into the building by the end of the month. They are currently working on running temporary lines from down the street but they can not handle our call volume. To get the permanent 8 lines, they are going to have to get a permit from the Florida Department of Transportation and go underneath US Highway 441! Why in the world did they wait until the week we were supposed to move to finally look at the property? We called them 2 MONTHS AGO!

This is just as bad or worse than building a house. What were we thinking?

Dentist

I had a regular dentist appointment this morning. I just changed dentists, to one that is right across the street from our current office. He explained a few things to me.

Number one, it is NOT normal to get food stuck under my crown. The dentist that did it apparently did a very poor job and it is decay and trouble waiting to happen. Now I get to decide the most convenient time for me to have it DONE AGAIN. I'm not looking forward to that.

Number two, I am a serious teeth grinder. I need to get some type of night guard to save my poor teeth since I am not a manatee and will not grow another set.

Linger Longer

The choir sang this morning, we ended up with about 8 to 10 people less than the rehearsal the week before, but, I still think they sounded pretty good. I need to try to recruit some more people and since I can't sing myself, singing well is not a prerequisite to being a member of the Eustis Ward choir. :)

Following church today, we had our first linger longer activity in a long time. I was supposedly 'in charge' of it, but I delegated quite a bit to the other members of the activity committee and they all did great. We had a nice turnout and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. Success!

Chris ended up attending our ward today since he didn't get back from Lakeland until around 1 this morning. It is always nice to have him with us.

Now, on to planning the next choir pieces and the next linger longer. We're having fun.

Busy Saturday

Chris woke up this morning early and headed to the gym. I headed to Publix and we left all 5 kids here alone for about 30 minutes.

Well, apparently that was 30 minutes too long because during that time my measuring cup broke and then 'the breaker' subsequently tried to fix the broken measuring cup which resulted in super glue all over the boy's room carpet and on my granite counter tops.

Needless to say, when I returned, it wasn't one of my best moments as a mom...

But, I had to get in Sunday dress and go with Kerstyn to her last Activity Days activity. I was asked to play the piano and Kerstyn was attending.

I'm thankful for the opportunity that I had to attend because it gave me the opportunity to 'detox' and refocus on what is truly important. Not the carpet of the counter tops, that is for sure.

We both had a good time.

Here is Kerstyn making her hair pretty.

Here she is wearing it.
Following the activity, Kerstyn and Brennan went over to the Markham's to spend the afternoon and I took the 3 younger kids for ice cream and to Target so Greyson could spend his birthday money that he got from Yoo-Ma and Mam-Mom.

Greyson purchased a remote control boat. Now he has 2 because he wanted one from us and he had already gotten it. So, this is what happens, he and Lauklan both take them 'out on the pool'. It's kinda cute, I think.

Aislinn sweet talked me into some play groceries and she is really enjoying playing with them.

I also purchased Toy Story and Toy Story 2 on Blu-Ray because our previous copies had been 'played to death'. They are all enjoying watching them.



Chris left around 1 to go to Lakeland to help Ricky, his brother, move over here. So, here I am, winding the day down with the kids. Thank goodness my perspective is much better this evening than this morning. :)

Seventeen years ago today...

Seventeen years ago today I had my last first date.

Seventeen years ago today I was in my first semester of my sophomore year in college and a music major loving absolutely every minute of my program.

Seventeen years ago today Chris and I went to a movie with my room mate who proceeded to sit in the front seat of Chris' jeep on our date. (What a great memory!)

Seventeen years ago today was the beginning of forever for me.

There have been ups. There have been downs. But Chris has ALWAYS been there for me and I am blessed.

I'm thankful for this 'ride'.

Wow! 17 years!

Icing on the cake

When I was getting dressed this morning, Chris was still at home and we were chatting.

I was putting my blouse on, one that I haven't worn in a long time that is a leopard print.

He asked, "Is that your mom's shirt?"

No, it's not my mom's shirt.

Really?

When it rains, it pours!

First, I'm getting a 'belly roll'.

Now, I'm wearing my mother's clothes.

What's next?

I'm scared

I'm noticing on the scale, that the number keeps creeping up.

I don't like it. Not at all!

I went to Chris this morning with my concern. It went something like this, "Honey, I'm worried. My weight keeps creeping up on the scale and I don't know what is going on. All of my clothes still fit the same. What do you think?"

To which he replied, "Well, I did notice last night when you were on the bike at the gym that you had a roll at your belly. It used to be flat. Maybe it is going there".

UGH.

I've struggled with my weight for way too long! I don't want to gain it back. I'm scared.

Back at it!

We hit the ground running this morning.

Up, eat, brush, etc., out the door in enough time to not be tardy and have to 'hustle' as I call it when we're running a tad bit late.

Chris and I promised to each other that we were going to try really hard to make sure that family prayer happens every morning and every night. Yes, we're supposed to do that, and yes, it should probably be easier to do than it it is for us, but it is hard.

We're doing it!

It's making a difference and I'm glad.

All the kids are well and the parents are surviving, so I think, we're doing all right.

All ready for church

We got ready a little early this morning, so I decided to do a photo shoot. Here we are, all ready to go!

Boys

Girls
Me

What a beautiful Sabbath morning!

Proud to be an American

We were blessed to spend the day with family doing exactly what we wanted to do.

We're blessed to live in America where we can go where we want to go. Where we can live where we want to live. Where we can believe what we know to be true!

Calls a parent doesn't like

Mrs. or Mr. Shipley,

Example 1: This is so and so and your child has had a rough day and is on yellow. I have them here right now to talk to you. Not only did they get in trouble in my class, they also got in trouble in Music. Please call me back this afternoon.

Example 2: This is so and so middle school and I am calling you because your child has 3 tardies and the next time they are tardy to class they will receive a detention. Please speak with them about being on time.

Sound like fun to you?

Not to me.

Facade Sign

Please, please, hurry up and finish! We're making progress though.

Day 3 at Disney

We slept in again! I was shocked to find all 5 sleeping children at 9:30 this morning! Wow! We must have done a great job at tiring them out.
We packed up the van and left the villa this morning. :( We were sad to go. However, we went directly to the Magic Kingdom for more food and fun!

Breakfast/lunch at Crystal Palace followed by many rides and then pirate dressing! There were practically no lines and therefore, we got tons of stuff done! All of the kids, except Brennan got their pirate faces on. Brennan didn't want face paint, so he just got the sword and bandanna. I think they look super cute! After they were all done up on the faces, they said their pirate oath. Here is all those Shipley pirates. Oops, they are in trouble with the Evil Emperor Zurg. :( Following many rides at the Magic Kingdom we left in the rain and stopped at Five Guys Burgers and Fries for dinner. We didn't arrive at home until around 9 p.m. and on the way there, we all talked about our favorite part of the weekend.

This weekend is a must repeat! What a blessing it was to our family. Watch out Disney, we're coming back.

Day 2 at Disney

I told the kids last night, well, really this morning right after midnight, to sleep in. I say that all the time and they don't, especially when they actually could, but they did today!!! They didn't get up until around 9:30. So, we hustled around and got out of the room around 10:30 to head to the Windermere ward. We attended sacrament meeting then headed back to go to the Animal Kingdom. After eating at the Tusker House, we went on the safari and then watched the parade while they had some snacks.

We ate a lot this trip because I purchased the Deluxe Dining Plan with our accommodations and it was great! We just swiped our room key when we ate and we had more than enough food and when you get the dining plan you save about 20% on food, which adds up. So, we all ate well, that is for sure!

The pictures above and below were right after watching our parade with our snacks.

Aislinn was sure to wear her 'tall shoes' this trip to Disney. She wore them last time she came to Animal Kingdom and she was tall enough to ride Mount Everest which she absolutely loved! So, here she is with her tall shoes on, meeting the height requirement.

Family fun.

We ate dinner, even though we weren't really hungry, at Olivia's at our resort. The food was delicious!

Following dinner, Chris and the kids went swimming. Well, all the kids except Brennan.

Brennan decided to have fun with some music and games on his phone.

Happy Daddy and kids.

It was another late night for all of us, but we all had a great time! Bring on Day 3!

Day 1 at Disney

After picking up Kerstyn from a sleepover and dropping the dog off at the vet, we loaded up the van and headed to Old Key West Resort! I had never stayed at a Disney resort before so needless to say, we were all quite excited.

We arrived around 11 and while I was standing in line, we saw one of Chris' clients. We checked in, put our stuff in our room, which was really nice. It was 2 bedrooms, a laundry room, a kitchen and 2 baths! We were loving it!

After a little relax time in our room, all of us headed back down to the check in area where we were taken to another resort to hear about the Disney Vacation Club. The kids played in the kids center while we got our adult talk and then we were all treated to ice cream. After a quick drop off at our car, we went to EPCOT where we did a few rides and then headed to the Contemporary Resort where we had dinner on the 15th floor at the California Grill. Neither Chris or I had ever eaten there and it was a treat. The pictures are from there.

We didn't have reservations until 9:10 so we were all quite tired. But, we did get the watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the restaurant and it was wonderful! After dinner and fireworks, we woke Aislinn back up (she fell asleep after eating her meal), and headed back to the Magic Kingdom to get on the bus, go get back to the Resort.

We didn't arrive at the resort until right before midnight and the kids and I ran from the bus stop to the room while Chris went back up to the check in area to get the van and Grandma who was waiting for us.

Tired, but fun! Tomorrow, more of the same.

Alarm quote and more progress

I met another alarm company at the new building today to have them get me a quote on securing the place. This is what I found!

These are the cabinets in the processing room, where the copier will go along with all the mailing supplies.

Above is the conference room that is on the side of the building. We have chair rail in all the areas of the building that will have client exposure. It is going to look very nice. I'm thinking we will do a blueish paint under the rail and a cream color on top. It should look nice with the other colors in the building and tying in the colors from outside.

I hope we get this done soon. It's zapping all of my energy.

I'm thinking it is time for a date night. Tonight and tomorrow night are in order!

Scouts, scouts, SCOUTS!

After finally getting everyone from school and practice, we headed to the gym for a quick workout. Kerstyn decided to stay home for some quiet, relaxing time.

Chris met me at the gym and took Lauklan and Brennan to church for their scouts. It was a Court of Honor tonight and Brennan received quite a few merit badges. Good work Brennan! Lauklan also received a bead on his trail to receiving his Bear.

I took Greyson and Aislinn to the elementary school where I signed Greyson up for Tiger Cubs. Because, we just don't have enough to do...

After that meeting, I hurried home and got Aislinn and Greyson bathed then left them there with Kerstyn to get in bed while I went BACK to church to pick up Brennan and Lauklan.

I got them home and they showered and didn't get into bed until about 9:30. Really? 9;30. Again?

I'm not going to make it!