My Little Ruby

I don't know if any of you are watching the new show on Style Network called "Ruby", but I love this show. It is basically about a woman's weight loss journey, and the trials and things she goes through. You would think okay that's my life why would I need to watch it, well you know me that's EXACTLY why I watch it. It's a great show. Anyway of course the show has a message board, and I couldn't help myself but to make a post....and wouldn't you know Ruby herself responded to my post. I felt honored. I'm putting the link on in case some of you haven't seen the show. http://www.mystyle.com/mystyle/shows/ruby/index.jsp

A Year In Review

Well let me try to recap some of the highlights for you. Madeline and Brandon keep growing in every way possible. They are really getting older on me fast. My nieces are growing up just as fast. Little Sienna starts kindergarten next year can you believe it! My nephew is communicating with me now, and knows Aunt Shell is cool. (Heh heh heh) My little grandson Gabe is starting to get a little more interactive with sitting up on his own, and playing with his toys. (He's almost seven months you know) Christy and Matt brought a new baby boy Owen Xavier into the world in November. I couldn't be happier for them. My sister started her own business this year, and found a whole new side of herself. My mom is making more and more sense to me with each passing year. I take her advice more like a golden nugget of knowledge now. As for me.....well I learned more about riding a storm out. There's a story in the Bible that my sister refers to often about Peter. The story is about when Jesus walked on the water. I'm sure you all know it. I've learnt to trust Him, keep my eyes on Him, and not beg to go back in the boat (the safety zone). Riding a storm out isn't about just standing there taking a beating while life throws everything it can at you. Riding a storm out is more about trusting God to be there beside you, and learn what the lesson is. It's about finding a morsel of happiness, hanging on to hope, and using your faith to keep believing. It's about thanking God for each and every thing in the storm. I've been blessed with a family that I love more each and everyday. That is pretty much my year in review. The bottom two pictures of my mom, my sister, and me....the first one is us last Thanksgiving, and the last one is us on Christmas. It is one of those rare photos that have us from head to toe. (That's right the skinny girls voted for that, LOL. )

Is that Betty Crocker I see?

No, it's not Betty Crocker. It is my little sister the chef. She did all the cooking this year, and did an awesome job. She hosted our families Christmas dinner, and hosted Dave's family's Christmas dinner. She was the hostess with the mostess. Thanks Pooh for a great time.

Christmas gatherings

Christmas was wonderful as always! My family celebrated early Christmas morning, followed by the usual putting things together. We then had Brian's brother, niece, and grandchildren over, and Heather, Casey, a little adorable Gabe over. It was a marvelous time. Then we went over to Pooh's where we got to be with her family and mom. Pooh cooked an excellent dinner, and then told the story of baby Jesus followed by birthday cake. Needless to say me and my house went to bed early that evening.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you and your families have a very special Christmas. Lots of love, Shell

"Merry Christmas"

Well the holidays are upon us. So far my "pre" holiday has been super busy. As all of us are going through the balancing act of keeping up with our daily duties and the holiday duties. For those of you who have husbands helping you wrap gifts, please don't forget to thank them. (Mine is not a wrapper.) Anyway this year just hasn't felt a lot like Christmas to me, so I focused on the reason for the holiday. I tried to keep singing praises every chance I got, and tried to imagine what it was like that very first Christmas. It brought a new light in me about Christmas and returned that special Christmas spirit. All of this being said the stores still carried that same merchandise holiday blah, and everyone would say "happy holidays", but no "Merry Christmas". It bothered me, and I would always respond with Merry Christmas. It was frigid cold out the other night the cold wind kept sending a freezing chill to my bones, and I still returned the shopping cart back into the coral. There was a man returning his also and he stopped to tell me "Merry Christmas". It completely took me by surprise I got tears in my eyes. I replied with "May God Bless you and your family this Christmas". He patted my shoulder all shock up "He already has."

Brandon's Update

Brandon had Quiz bowl try-outs this week and unfortunately didn't make the team. (It's kinda like Academic Challenge) He had basketball try-outs last week and this week he made that team. (Of course, can you guess which one I would have rather him made.) He has been very grumpy lately I'm hoping Christmas break will give him some time to get some much needed rest.

My Word

What is our word worth today? I guess that depends on the person. I've tried to teach this to my children, and it's a little more difficult that I once thought it was. Sometimes you can tell your kids we will go here on this day, and when that day comes it's a blizzard outside or something and it doesn't happen. Well things happen right, of course, but if we make habits of this our word doesn't mean a whole lot. So I've went with the approach of saying I promise or I give you my word. An example came up the other night and the kids really seen what 'My word' meant. A mother had approached me at the beginning of the school year about her daughter and choir. She didn't want her daughter to be in choir because she knew she wouldn't be able to take her to all the concerts. So I told her that I gave her my word that her daughter would have a ride to all the concerts. The first concert was Tuesday and Maddie was afraid to remind me about my word to this family because of all the things we had going on that night. When I called the mom to confirm what time I was picking up her daughter, Madeline asked me after I hung up"Mom why did you tell her you would pick her up there's no way you can?" I said to her, " Maddie I gave that mom my word and that will come first and I will figure everything else out." And I did and it all worked out. Later that night Maddie says, "Mom I'm really glad your word is something we can count on" TEACHING LESSON INSERT HERE "Well Maddie your word is all you have sometimes people have to count on it. Why do you think you can count on God's Word? Because His word is something that we can count on, something we can stand on, and believe" LIGHT BULB GOES ON HERE "Oh...I get it."

It was her night to shine

Last night was extremely busy for us. Madeline had a game, a choir concert, and Brandon had basketball try-outs. At the game Madeline scored a basket, had many rebounds and the part of the game that the crowd went nuts chanting her name was her aggressiveness at blocking. She blocks like a shining star. The games have become very intense with each passing year. Then immediately following the game was her choir concert at the other school. (They are right there together almost like a campus.) She finally got a speaking part in a Christmas concert. (It's only been 14 yrs.) Anyway she was so excited. I will say this for a Christmas concert at the school they had real lyrics about Jesus. They spoke His name (I've never heard that at public school concerts). They sang songs that I remember Christmas to be, about Bethlehem, waiting for the King....it was very nice.

Bertha

Bertha is the name of my mom's truck that we gave her a long time ago. Mom is not quite ready to sell her yet so Bertha hangs out at my house quite a bit. She doesn't make long trips anymore. She pretty much drops the kids off at a practice or two during the week. However, Bertha is the truck of choice during any ice storm, blizzard condition, etc. It seems that I always have more than just my kids during these types of weather conditions and last night was no different. We got a lovely sheet of ice throughout the county last night, and I of course had another child to take home after the choir concert. I was never so glad to have Bertha for last nights activities.

Day 60

Well today is my "Day 60" of my wellness journey. My results aren't mind blowing like my sisters, but for me there has been some big changes. First off let me say I have fallen off the wagon a few times, but unlike all the other diets and supplements and vitamins etc. I pulled myself back up on the wagon and continued forward little by little bit by bit. Any other time in my life I would have given up all together. In 60 days I've only had one major migraine. (HUGE step in the migraine world), and even that one I didn't go to the hospital over-big step. My blood pressure never hit 130/90 ever-huge step. My skin doesn't have all the blotching that it use it, I still get pimple outbreaks, but my skin is more even now. My skin seems to be the difference people are noticing and asking me about. As for my weight lose 17 1/2 lbs. and hold on to your seat here 35 1/4 inches are now missing from my body. It seems to have all come off my chest area. I'm even going to share some measurements here to give you an idea. I was a 44DD and now I'm a 40D that could probably even go to a 38. For as long as I can remember I've been in the 40's to even think about going in the 30's just blows my mind. Not only that but the 30 section have bras with hangers on them, not boxes. It's a very scary thought going over to that section. And here is another mind blowing thought 35 1/4 inches is over 2 FEET of me is gone. Pretty impressive to me. Well thank you to my coach, my mom, and my kids for encouraging me. If you're interested in the program send my sister a shout out and she will let you know about the program. Oh yes by the way the first picture is in Sept. at Bub's football game, the sec. picture is the one from Nov. and the last one is me today (a little rough around the edges, but you get the point).

Cutting Corners

As most of you know I've been looking for work since the beginning of July it's now December. I never looked so hard for a job and not got one before. Yes I know difficult times, difficult economy, blah blah. All that being said it still bothers me A LOT. The self esteem has hit some hurdles to say the least. I've had some great interviews that I thought surely I would get, but none the less didn't. My wellness coach (Pooh) just keeps telling me to work on myself, and keep believing God has the perfect job out there for me. I'm doing that, but some days it still gets to me. I thought once I finished school that my housewife/stay at home mom days were over, and that just isn't the case yet. Don't get me wrong I love my family, and I've been very fortunate to be able to be home with my kids most of the years. So for right now I keep looking for work, and find more corners to cut. Here is a list of things that I found corners to cut when I thought there was no more corners to cut:

• We were doing movie rental night once every two weeks-CUT- now we rent movies from the library for free.
• Eating out- REDUCE CUT- we are down to once every two weeks with an occasional dollar menu deal for the kids on late game nights.
• Snack Items-HEALTHY CUT- more veggies and popcorn, less on chips, sugar treats.
• Entertainment-there wasn't a whole lot there to begin with, but we combined entertainment with the kids sporting events, and do more family game night activities.
• Nickel and dime items-meaning novelty items from the checkout or gas station-CUT-substituted with the cold hard facts for the kids we don't need this and the money I would spent on that candy bar can be used toward gas money to pick up one of your friends, etc.
• Signing up for various things the school needs help with, instead of always being able to donate things I find I'm volunteering my time now.

These are some of the ways to cut some corners in our life. Do you have areas you cut that may be helpful?

Drinking

Inside the mind of a teenagers head is......? That's right I have no idea what so ever sometimes. As you all know Maddie had her party this weekend, and I was

so fortunate to get to spend the evening with these girls. I know these girls pretty well (most of them anyway), and I know there parents. All the girls come from good homes and are raised with good values. Now having said that I was shocked and awed at some of the things they were discussing over the course of the evening. The big thing that had me butting into the conversation was the drinking. Why? I guess I couldn't help myself but but in. Now keep in mind these are 13 and 14 year olds, and out of four of them one had admitted to already trying a drink. I asked the girls the usual questions why would you want to try drinking, what benefit is there, are your friends trying it etc? What was the answer I got...' I don't know'. That translates to I'm not telling you or I truly don't know. This conversation went back and forth for quite awhile. I felt I got through to her, but that doesn't mean I didn't add her by name in my prayers. Raising teenagers is difficult sometimes to say the least, and one of the major difficulties I think is not just worrying and praying for MY child, but worrying and praying for the children that comes in my child's path along the way. The biggest weapon we parents have is prayer. Yes praying for our kids and the kids everywhere, but also praying for ourselves that God gives us wisdom, courage, and the ability to continue loving.

Happy Birthday Madeline!!

It was Madeline's 14th birthday yesterday. My baby girl turned 14. I was so emotional yesterday morning remembering the day she was born, and how amazing God is for giving me such a remarkable daughter. She started out having a basketball game, and then having her friends over for a party. It was snowing so bad out last night that we thought for half a second we may have to cancel the party. Fewer friends were able to come because of how bad it was out, but the ones who did come brought fun with them. I took them bowling as promised for the cosmic bowling they had a blast. Due to the horrible driving conditions I decided to let them all stay over. So when we arrived home at midnight safely the girls we're still ready to now have slumber party fun. The interesting thing was it wasn't planned, but me and the parents thought it was best the girls stay put. The girls were beyond happy to say the least. I don't know when or if the girls got any sleep, but I know that I gave my baby girl the best birthday I could give her. Happy Birthday Maddie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Report Cards

These are the pictures I'm getting lately from my lovely eleven year old. Ones that he has in hand in front of his face or quick sneak up shots from the side. Oh the joys of parenthood. The reason I'm making this post is about report cards they both made honor roll which I am very happy about don't get me wrong. Brandon didn't make the all A's honor roll. Now before you start getting on my case hear me out. I know that all A's is extremely hard especially with advanced classes....I get that. Keep in mind I only expect my kids to do their best whether it's honor roll, merit roll, or none of them. Just to do their best. When I seen his report card before I gave any opinion I asked Brandon, "did you do your best?" he replied with, "no mom not even close." Mind you I barely seen homework or a book brought home all quarter. So I have conferences (the normal yearly ones) with his teacher and she tells me that I'm being way too hard on Brandon etc etc. I very calmly tell her my motto on only expecting my kids to do their best. I continue to tell her about our conversation and Brandon's reply. She says I'm sure he wouldn't tell me that. I politely said ask him if this report card was his best. The following day she asks Brandon.....and Brandon's reply was the same. She goes on to tell Brandon how exceptionally good his report card was, and he shouldn't set his standards so high. Brandon replied with, "if I tried even a little harder I probably would learn more." She was speechless.

Scrimmage

Okay moving back to some of the quick topic updates from last week. Madeline had her first scrimmage in basketball last week and they won. It was a really big deal. She assured me that no other parents were going because they weren't sure on the exact time or exactly what gym was being used, etc. Did you catch the sentence that says it was a really big deal? Yeah that should have been my big clue, because I was one of the few parents not at the game. I was heartbroken for a few days, but as any good parent does I got over it. Her first game is tomorrow night....I will be there!