Mildly mediocre Pinterest...

Are you all on the Pinterest craze??

My friend Erin and I decided this morning that hours and hours of precious time can be wasted scrolling through beautiful and creative pins. Recipes, decorating, crafts, fashion, hairstyles, you name it. Someone has pinned it! Books, movies, music...the list can go on and on.

I came up with a craft that I found online for Molly's First grade Valentine's party. No, I didn't find it on Pinterest but I'm sure it's been pinned there by other adventurous crafters. I was pretty darn pleased with my example. My friend Dana said I needed to pin it on my board. I'm pretty sure the Polar Pop I was enjoying went immediately through my nose with my laughter.

So, I think I should create a new social/craft/handy website for those of us who are somewhat capable of copying an idea off of Pinterest but seriously have no business putting our own copies on there.

It is called Mildly Mediocre Pinterest...

Step 1 - take a picture of your creation with either your camera phone or a plain, old point and shoot. No big ass fancy lenses allowed on my site.

Step 2 - Bask in the glory that you actually did a craft, used a glue gun and FINISHED IT!!

Step 3 - Bask in more glory that you were able to help teach (with the help of your friend, Jill V.) twenty-one 6 and 7 year olds how to do it. I only burned my finger once on the glue gun, said SH** once under my breath and shed maybe one small tear. Man, did that smart!

Step 4 - Have one parent compliment you on your craft (thank you Melissa S.).

When I get my site is up and running I will then approve your membership to it so you get the same satisfaction you did when Pinterest allowed you on theirs. Is it actually a privilege to be on Pinterst, right?

And then my first pin will be....

I know, you don't have to say it. Dang good, right??

Valentine's Day par-tay...

It is hard for me to believe that it has been 3 years since we spent time at the hospital with our Molly. Valentine's Day 2009 was probably one of the toughest days that Mr. Shook and I have had. I am sooooo glad that Valentine's Day 2012 looked a little like this...

And a little like this...

Very fun times in a First Grade party!!

As much as I know that Mr. Shook and I grew from our hospital experiences of past, it will remain to me like a band-aid that needs removed. You know you need to rip it off quick but your afraid to do so for a second. We heal all the time but my heart still quickens when we have to go to the hospital. Tomorrow Amanda goes for a routine ultrasound and urology visit and I look forward to reporting back good results!

Hope your Valentine's Day was full of love, laughter and togetherness!

Queen of the Jungle...

Does your school have a Star of the Week? Well, in Molly's first grade class you are either Queen of the Jungle or King of the Jungle. It's a very cute idea and Molly was the Queen of the Jungle last week.

On Monday you take in pictures of yourself and finish sentences about yourself.

My favorite sport is...Soccer

My family...Dad, Mom, Cameron and Amanda

My hobbies...Legos, Ballet, Tap and Jazz

Someday I want to be a...teacher

My favorite food...hot dogs and pizza

Something I'm good at...I'm a good friend

On Tuesday you take a treat and a show and tell item. We made trail mix and Molly took in her Lego camper. Quite a hit, especially with the fellows of the class.

On Wednesday your classmates write letters to you. This is what I really wanted to share about her special week. Here are some of the things that her friends wrote about my girl. I'll leave the first grade spelling and writing the way it was done.

Dear Molly,

I like you because you are nice.

Your friend,

Dax

Dear Molly,

I like you because you are my bust frust and you like me and I like you!

Your friend,

Anika

Dear Molly,

I like you because you are nies and you like me. Whet is yor brurrs (brother's) name?

Your friend,

Connor

Dear Molly,

I like you because you are funny and you are a very nice. I realy liked your show and tell. Thank you for the snacks.

Your friend,

Becca

Dear Molly,

I like you because you are a funny cool and nice.

Your friend,

Garrett

Dear Molly,

I like you because you are nice, cool, nice, fun, funny, good and you never ever move your number or cube's.

Your friend,

Will

Aren't these great things to hear from your friends?

I think we all need to have a day where everyone writes us letters and tells us a thing or two that they like about us. It's very good for the ego!!

Molly's 100's Day poem...

My 100 Book by Molly Shook (with first grade grammatical errors included)

I wish I had 100 money

I would not want 100 brothers

I could eat 100 pieces of grapes

I could never eat 100 bananas

I could lift 100 toys

If I had $100 I would buy A American Girl Doll

On the first day of school I couldn't rite my best

But on the 100th day of school I can now rite good.

Dear Cameron...

Dear Cameron,

It is so hard for me to believe that today you are now 8 years old. My eyes well up with tears, happy ones, when I think about what you mean to me in my life. Daddy and I wished upon every star in the sky, prayed many prayers, and crossed fingers and toes so that we could have you come into our lives. And let me tell you, Mister, it was a lot of work to get you! But what a joy you have always been.

My wish for you will always be to try your hardest in everything you do, never let anyone crush the creative and imaginative spirit you have, and to always be a friend to everyone.

And remember what we heard on Sunday at church.

When we don't put God first, the rest is destined to fail.

Very smart words to remember, buddy.

Never, ever be afraid to share your faith with anyone.

Because..."I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

Happy Birthday, Cameron! We love you very, very much!

Love, Mom

Stop following me!...

Yes, this is something that I heard our delightful 4 year old say to her siblings, but it's also something screaming from my mind as I have more and more followers on ...

PINTEREST!!

And, I have no idea what I am doing on it.

HELP!!

This morning I had a little time so I was searching for craft ideas for Molly's first grade Valentine's party. Get this, some how I am the Mom in charge of the party. What??!! Crazy.

I found some really cute ideas on Pinterest, thought I pinned them, and now they are not under my pins. What am I doing wrong? If I can't "pin" an idea how can I make suggestions for the party of the year?

There are some adorable, clever and handy ideas on Pinterest. But, the majority of them will mean nothing to me if I can't remember what they looked like. I wish more had step by step directions, too. Is this too much to ask for the craft novice?

Any suggestions on how to better utilize Pinterest would be greatly appreciated.

Until then...stop following me!! (Just kidding...it's kind of flattering, right?)

Gettting off the roller coaster ride...

Were there holidays recently? Hmmmmm, they seem like forever ago.

We had Christmas for the first time in Illinois. We didn't travel any farther than Peoria, and that was to go to the mall. We had a house full but it was nice to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day worshipping in our own church. Both services were great and special. The kids sang at the Christmas Eve service and that made it even nicer. Not having any traditions really since we never have been home on Christmas we went with a family favorite for dinner...ham loaf! It rocked, if I may say so.

The biggest hurdle of the last month has been 3 hospital stays for my Dad. Once early December for pneumonia, mid December for GI issues and then again on New Year's Day for pneumonia again. The doctors think that he never got over the first pneumonia. After a week of IV antibiotics I really hope that they got it this time. My Dad seems much better. Tired, but really good. But after 13 nights in the hospital in a month I feel like we've all had enough. But, it's amazing how when you turn your worries and concerns over to God some, not all, but some of the anxiety can be comforted. I am really, really trying to be diligent to turn to God not only when I feel like I need something but also to give him praise for the day, the sunshine, the snow or rain, the little blessings in life. Like my family. Like my husband.

In case you didn't already know this, I have a true candidate for the best husband of the world. I know that many of us feel this way about our man, but Mr. Shook is not a man of just words but also action. He has stepped in to help us when we need it most. He was there for my parents when they needed us most. My Mom thanked him for something he did this week for her and he told her to not even think twice, that she is his family. That means more to me than you can imagine.

I thank God every day that he brought Mr. Shook into my life. It isn't a fancy story, he didn't sweep me off my feet, but he won my heart and it will belong to him always.

I pray that our girl's will be as lucky as their Mama someday. There are a lot of frogs out in that pond.

Luckily, mine is a prince.