Hello! My name is Shannon. I live in the desert with my husband Scott and 3 kids (Conner, Payton, Anna). I have been blogging since 2005 and I love to write about my family, everyday life, dating my husband, projects and parties, memory keeping, being a mom, faith, setting and working towards goals, and finding joy in the journey.
Thank you so much for dropping by!
Thomas S. Monson - I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey -- now.
since 1999 // about us
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in the form of a quote or two . . . .
Here, here! {swiped this from her blog}
Makes you think of someone, doesn't it? And the thought of her makes you smile, doesn't it? Or maybe you want to be that person. {from She by Koby Yamada - great little book}
I also love Elder M. Russell Ballard's quote: "The joy of motherhood comes in moments."
Here's to a happy weekend!
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We decided that with something as big as a 10 year anniversary the best way to celebrate is to spread it out . . . .
part 1: the "at home" date, january 15th
Well it actually started on the 14th when these beautiful flowers arrived on my doorstep.
Scott thought it would be fun for me to enjoy these flowers for an extra day. Perfect idea -- I definitely needed them that day.
On the 15th we put the kids to bed and served up our own dinner of steak, twice-baked potatoes, italian sodas, and cream puffs for dessert. Everything to make my man happy. Nothing green or good for you. :)
I put together these little gifts for him. The traditional gift for your 10th anniversary is tin or aluminum.
I made banana bread earlier in the day (one of his favorites) and wrapped it in foil. Check! Box number 1 contained a mix CD with 10 hit songs from 1999 (the year we were married). We listened to it over dinner and talked about memories associated with each song, sang along, and even danced! Very fun.
Box #2 was a little dice game that came in a tin box. And in box #3 I put a little handmade accordion album/card.
On one side you see little pictures of us from each year of marriage. And on the reverse side there are more little photos - things that we did together in the past year. You can see more details here.
part 2: the "something different" date, january 24th
We left at 2pm and drove up the Columbia Gorge to Multnomah Falls - it was our first time ever stopping there, although we've driven by many times. There were snowflakes blowing through the air, the cliff face was covered in ice, but the falls were still running. It was gorgeous!
I had hoped to take more (and better) pictures, but I was nervous having my camera out in the semi-snowy conditions. (Although I saw plenty of other people with dSLR's walking the trail.) Maybe another time.
Then we wound down the scenic Columbia River Highway past more waterfalls, spectacular (foggy) views of the gorge, a very windy Crown Point and finally to our dining destination . . . The View Point Inn. If this place sounds at all familiar I'll give you a hint . . .
The prom scene happened here (on the grounds, and inside). I thought it would be so fun to get a picture in the gazebo where Edward & Bella danced, but . . . there is no gazebo. Guess they just brought that one in for the movie.
The restaurant was very cozy, romantic, lots of candlelight . . . When we sat down for our 5pm reservation we were the only people there. Kinda fun to have the place to ourselves.
appetizers: sweet onion & saffron soup and prawn cocktail
I could not get over these adorable little butter dishes! Just look at that tiny domed lid. (I'm thinking of you, Becca). And the itty bitty detailing. Just so precious. They sold these at the restaurant and I was pretty tempted.
dinner: new york strip and bacon wrapped pork tenderloin
The creme brulee for dessert sounded fantastic, but we were stuffed. And it had snowed through the entire meal so we were a little anxious to get on the road and make it safely down the mountain.
Just a wonderful date. I can see myself doing this again someday, and maybe trying out another season of the year to sample the views in new colors.
part 3: the extended weekend getaway date, coming soon
This is going to be a good one. We're very excited!
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1. Finished decorating the primary bulletin board - hooray! Conner really liked it. I just hope that no one tries to mess with it or take pieces from it (namely, the tool belt). Scott told me that I should prepare myself for that reality. Let's hope we have lots of little (& big) angels at church. :)
2. I love this scarf. Find myself wearing it around the house because it's so cozy. And pink.
3. So relieved to finally get baby-sitters lined up for all our "stuff". Stuff = temple night and a date night. We have a great selection of sitters here & the girls are so fun. But I always dread the hunt, the phone calls . . . . But all is well now. :)
4. I've decided that Cub Scouts is fun. As long as you keep them in a controlled environment (preferably a small room - where they can't do much running) and give them something to keep their hands busy. And make sure the coping saw is out of reach.
5. Lately, the sunrises have been GORGEOUS. One morning Anna and I were running errands right after school drop-off. Inspired by Michelle we drove down to the river. We were too late for the brilliant pinks and oranges but I had fun playing with my camera while Anna drew pictures in the icy park bench.
6. I've got a lot of de-cluttering and cleaning out on my to-do list. The spare bedroom / storage room is going to be a beast. For the past 3 months we've just been tossing things in there when we can't decide where else to put it. The closet is also chock full of tubs containing baby clothes. I've been holding on to them for a long while, but I think the time has come to let go. After the big dig we may do some room re-assignments, but I'm not quite ready to think about that. One step at a time.
7. I was asked to be the Craft Specialist at Girls' Camp this year! Woo-hoo! I'm wildly surfing the web for ideas. Just look at these cute button pins. Haven't had a whole lot of time to really dig, but I feel like there are a lot of fun possibilities out there.
8. Ate lunch at Subway one day this week. Our little town has, count them, THREE Subways. What I really crave is a cold, fresh, fruity Jamba Juice. Why can't we have one of those?
9. I'm working up the steam to re-paint the downstairs bath. I need to make a decision on a color and then figure out how me, a paint tray, a long roller, and maybe even a ladder (we've got 9 foot ceilings), are going to fit in a tiny 4x5 bathroom.
10. It's 9:51, the boys are cleaning out the garage, Anna is watching Care Bears I think (and just made an appearance to model her "beautiful" ratty hair that she combed), and I'm still in my pajamas. Time to get a move on!
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Last week Payton got to be in a play! A traveling children's theater group came to town, held auditions on Monday, practiced all week, and put on performances Friday night & Saturday afternoon. They bring the sets, the costumes, the script, music, and directors . . . and the town just has to supply the venue and the kids.
It was a last minute decision to go to the auditions, but last year we missed them entirely and I had decided that wouldn't happen again. 116 kids showed up, and there were parts for about 60. Both Conner & Payton participated in the auditions. Admittedly, I pulled all the kids over there mostly because I thought this would be Conner's thing. Payton fit the age requirement, so he might as well try out too. But it was amazing to watch the auditions and see that my little Payton was a scene-stealing, attention-grabbing, silly, hammin' it up performer! By the time he made the final cut, and was given the role of Toy Soldier, I was so excited for him! {My favorite part of audition was when they asked the kids to line themselves up from tallest to smartest . . . and Payton was, in fact, the smartest. :) }
Conner did not get a part (there wasn't much for his age), but he dealt with it just fine. I tried to remind him that he had fun during those 2 hours and that's all that matters.
Payton did such a good job. . . his big salute brought down the house (as you'll see in the video below). He was definitely lovin' the stage. He didn't rush through his part at all . . . . this was his moment, and he was going to take advantage of it.
One of the most fun parts for me was observing the relationships he made. After each practice and performance there were multiple (much older) kids coming up to Payton for a high-five, saying "bye Payton" in passing, helping him tie his shoes, etc. It was just really strange to walk out of the auditorium and hear his name called several times . . . . I mean, he's a kindergartner. I'd ask "Payton, who said hi to you?" He'd shrug his shoulders, "I don't know." Just so strange, and fun to see him so popular.
Maybe this face had something to do with it. You just can't miss him.
Without further ado, here is Payton's performance in Pinocchio. The Toys (baby dolls, ballerinas, toy soldiers) were comprised of the youngest kids. Mostly added in for the cute factor, and they definitely delivered.
Following the first performance, on the drive home, Payton said, "I wish that I could be Pinocchio in the play. Because he has the most parts and he's on the stage all the time!" I told him that if he continued doing plays and working really hard then maybe someday he could have a part like Pinocchio. Time will tell, I guess.
For now, he's focusing all his efforts in perfecting a Donkey impersonation from Shrek 2: "trot, trot, trot in place . . . trot, trot, trot in place. Ya!"
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Those were the words out of Scott's mouth when he devoured tonight's dinner. Actually, those words came 10 minutes after dinner when he obviously could not shake this tasty meal from his head. It is a rarity for me to try a new recipe and have it go down so well. Scott usually tolerates my experimentation. But this, this was good. Penne a la Betsyfrom the Pioneer Woman. Shrimp and pasta with a creamy tomato sauce. Mmmm.
Another great recipe from PW is her chicken spaghetti casserole. Just go easy on the cayenne pepper.
I've yet to try the Marlboro Man sandwich, but I've heard it's amazing.
I've found that lately I do a lot of recipe searching online. My printer tray is full of recipes I've come across and printed out for "someday."
Last summer I visited The Daily Bite often for recipe helps. The Asian BBQ chicken was awesome and the Asian BBQ chicken pizza was a great follow-up recipe for leftovers. (A lot of work, but good).
Allrecipes.com has become my go-to recipe finder. From there I found my beloved Pumpkin Muffins . . . it gave us the tastiest Thanksgiving turkey ever . . . . it helped me find something to do with my turkey leftovers . . . and was a good little kitchen helper for our at-home anniversary dinner with twice-baked potatoes.
Tomorrow we'll be making some good popcorn for National Popcorn Day. One of my favorite recipes is this insanely easy and fast one from my friend Ily. It's seriously a crime that you can get popcorn this good, this fast.
Pop a bag of microwave popcorn. In a microwave-safe bowl add 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1/2 cup light Caro syrup, 1/2 cup sugar. Heat it in the microwave, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Mix with the popcorn in a large bowl. Done.
And don't forget the ever delicious white chocolate popcorn. Basically the same idea, just make sure you have some good melting chocolate. Twice, we've received some of this stuff from very nice people and both times I have hoarded the popcorn and eaten it almost entirely on my own. Hands off!
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{open house - Twin Falls, ID - January 23, 1999}
I love this picture of us. Don't we look like such little kids? Age 19 and 22. I guess you can decide.
10 years.
10 whole years since we were married here for time and all eternity.
10 years is big. A decade. Saying it just makes me think "wow." Are we really old enough to reach such a milestone? My brother obviously thinks we are . . . my mom mentioned our upcoming engagement to him and he flipped out - Is Shannon really that old?!
Where has the time gone . . . .
I am so happy that I've been able to spend these past 10 years with him. He is my best friend. We laugh together . . . we wash dishes together . . . we sit together and mess around on our computers after the kids go to bed . . . we dream of vacations together . . . we support each other . . . we talk on the phone during his drive home from work and when we run out of things to say we don't mind the silence - happy, just knowing the other one is there . . . we love together.
{photo by Sam- california - june 2008}
Happy Anniversary to us!
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Okay, so I thought it might be fun to post once in a while about finding joy. And wednesdays seemed like a great day to do it because it's half-way through the week and sometimes you just need that extra oommph to get you through 'til Friday. Granted, this will not be every week -- I don't need to commit myself to another scheduled project (365 is enough). It could be anything from fun things I'm doing to add joy to our days, bits & pieces of joy I've observed or experienced, a poem about joy (no, not really), or whatever else I come up with. Here goes . . . .
So in elementary school you probably heard about some of those obscure, strange holidays like National Watermelon Day or Make-a-Sandwich Day or Pigeon Day . . . . Well I came across a website through another blog that lists many of these bizarre holidays. Let me tell you, there are some crazy ones out there. How about Multiple Personalities Day? Or National Nude Day? It's on July 14th. I really cannot figure out why we would need to celebrate National Beheading Day (Sept. 2), nor do I want to be around when anyone chooses to honor it.
I went through the list and thought it would be fun to choose one fun holiday from each month and add it to our new family calendar (the new year's eve project). I can guarantee that we will be celebrating No Housework Day on April 7th. But there's no chance whatsoever that National Whiners Day (Dec. 26) will be honored in this house.
In January I chose National Popcorn Day on the 19th. Other celebrations that will come through our house this year:
Here's another website with an even larger listing of strange holidays.
I'm excited about this idea! I don't have to make it into a big deal, just a little something to make the month interesting. A fun memory maker for sure. 15 years from now Conner will be saying, "remember the time mom made us all dress in pink and put pink curlers in our hair and eat strawberry ice cream and watch the Pink Panther?" Payton will reply, "Ya. Mom is weird."
I won't really make them dress in pink.
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you may need to turn up your speakers.
My Heavenly Father loves me. He gave me a body. He gave me my family. He gave me a prophet. He gave me the scriptures. He gave me the temple. My Heavenly Father loves me. I will choose the right. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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a first:
Conner had his first piano recital! He officially started lessons in September and he has loved every minute of it. Although, he has some perfectionist tendencies that can bring on big frustration when he can't play a song perfectly. His piano teacher has been known to have him run laps in her living room to help ease this frustration and help him re-focus. It is perfect. He thinks it's hilarious and it does the trick.
But he loves playing the piano. During the Christmas break he was sitting at the piano nearly everyday playing through his book of Christmas songs. We are going to be very happy when he gets to the lesson about sharps and flats. :)
His December recital got canceled due to . . . can you guess? . . . . snow. So yesterday we got to enjoy a myriad of Christmas classics on the piano. Conner played Jingle Bells and O Come All Ye Faithful. I brought along the video camera, and it wasn't until after I turned it on that I realized there was no tape inside! Oh well. But he did a great job on both of his songs -- with a little bow at the end. Here is a picture taken that morning.
another first:
Anna gave her first talk in Primary today! Yes, she just began Sunbeams last week and she is the youngest child in her class. My secretary put together a talk schedule and showed it to me last week with Anna's name right there at the top. She said, "It seemed to me that Anna would do okay getting up in front of everyone." Oh yes, that is definitely the truth.
So today she sat at the front of the Primary room with her stack of pictures in her lap. Then with a little help up to the podium, a microphone adjustment, and she was good to go. Scott and I sat at the back of the room just beaming at our precious 3 year old girl giving a primary talk completely all by herself! I think some of the kids were taken back by her confidence and the sweet way she delivered all her lines, and they got a little giggly. And Anna just ate up all that attention and performed all the more. :)
The best part came at the end. "In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. Mom can I do it again?" Oh, it was priceless!
I have a video (taken at home) of her talk, but I'll have to post that later because 24 is about to start! But if you have a second take a peek at this picture. I love this face!
2 love notes:
Conner passed these notes to Scott and I during church today.
I think he's trying to butter us up for something.
a quote:
Heading out to school one morning, Payton from the back of the van: "I can't wait until I have the power of God. Then I can walk on water."
We were just about finished with our nightly reading of The New Testament Stories.
a kitchen miracle:
A little over a year ago we moved into this house. And less then 2 weeks after unpacking I completely lost my favorite pampered chef kitchen tongs. I was just beside myself totally confused over where they could be. One day I had used them and the next they were gone.
While cleaning up the scrap/guest room I spotted something metal & shiny under the bed. It was the tongs!! I hate to even admit to the squealing and happy dance that followed. But let me just tell you, Anna thought mom was starting a party or something.
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definition: feelings of great happiness or pleasure, especially of an elevated or spiritual kind.
My one little word for 2009. JOY.
Partly inspired by President Monson's conference talkand his reminder to "find joy in the journey." Partly inspired by my kids walking around the house the entire month of December belting out, "Joy to the world!" and wishing I could be that exuberant and joyful. Wanting to feel joy, wanting to share joy. Knowing that it is most often a choice and something that I must seek after.
I love love love this quote:
Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.
-Marianne Williamson
I am blessed with so much . . . with my family, the gospel in my life, a comfortable home, good health, our needs are filled, debts are paid, . . . things really are good. I guess I need to be better at recognizing that so joy can happen.
Tonight I had the opportunity to speak at Enrichment. I chose President Monson's talk for a topic and tied in this little word as well. I want to share the link to a slide show I quoted from. Another reminder to find joy in the journey. The days are long, but the years are short.
Also, I'm salivating over this piece of jewelry . . . . custom made with your own "one little word" stamped right on it. A great way to keep your word close to your heart all year long.
{from ali edwards' blog: enter the code "myword" at checkout to receive 20% off. I'm not sure when this offer expires.}
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Have you ever heard of this? It's an idea where you take a picture, one picture, everyday. I remember last year spotting a few people on the web, blogs, and flickr who committed to this challenge - some did a self-portrait everyday. I've always thought it was an intriguing idea -- but a picture of myself, everyday? I don't know.
Then last month Becky Higgins started promoting the 365 Project on her blog and the new Kit of the month she had created to go along with it. Knowing what was going to be waiting for me under the tree, I thought this might be a cool project to take on, a way to practice a bit with my photography. Plus the idea of having a scrapbook that provides a comprehensive look at my family's life (our everyday life) in 2009 sounded very cool. And on top of that, there would be minimal (practically zero) stress on the scrapbooking end -- everything was laid out, perfectly coordinated, right there waiting for me to slip into a divided page protector. No adhesive. No trimming. Nice.
January 1st was the day to order and by some miracle and stroke of luck I got one! (Yes, they sold out quickly.)
I started taking pictures on Sunday and thought I'd share. I've done a Week in the Life project before (this requires lots of photos) and I'm in the middle of finishing my December Daily (which has been more of an artsy/creative project) . . . but this is kinda cool to see snippets of your day and week represented in a single photo. Watching everything come together over time will be very fun.
sunday, december 28 - semi- self-portrait
monday, december 29- Conner went to the dentist this morning to have 6 baby teeth removed. A little vanilla ice cream and Lego Star Wars on the Wii makes it feel all better.
tuesday, december 30 -- Scott took the boys skiing. So Anna and I went to the Children's Museum for a few hours and then ran errands around town. She has been in love with these poppers since Christmas. In fact, she brought a sheet along with her in the car.
wednesday, december 31 -- The kids got to stay up for our New Year's Eve bash. We put together a family calendar and everyone got to decorate a few pages. Here is Payton's page for February.
thursday, january 1- time to finally find a home for the new Christmas toys. A little reorganization & purging of the boys' toys. I had fun with new Container Store stuff and my Dymo label maker. When I shared my excitement over the new labels Scott said, "nerd alert!"
friday, january 2 -- a "we-need-to-get-out-of-the-house day". Time for another round of bowling. It is just the perfect low-key family activity.
saturday, january 3-- primary activity this morning. Spent the afternoon painting new choosing sticks while watching Shrek 2 with the kids.
Our week in a nutshell. 362 more days to go.
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