Another visit to the Children's Hopsital...

This afternoon Molly will have an outpatient surgical procedure that will hopefully make it possible for additional major surgery to be avoided. Our doctor will inflate a surgical balloon into her urethra, go through the bladder and expand it in her ureter. Molly has scar tissue in her ureter that, without the stents in place, causes a pin hole opening for the urine to be flushed from her kidneys. This whole is too small and that causes back pressure on her kidneys and unnecessary stress. We have been given a 50/50 chance that this will fix the problem. I have prayed for the right answers and I hope this is successful. I do not want to keep traveling down this path. It's hard to explain to a 4 year old why we keep having to go back. Especially when she feels so good. If you have been reading my blog over the last few months you know our story. Any prayers sent our way would be greatly appreciated! God is good. All the time.

One year later...

One year later...

I have a 5 1/2 year old, a 4 year old and a 2 year old.

I have more gray hairs that are expertly covered by a superb hairdresser!

I live in Morton, Illinois.

I have moved from a 4 bedroom house, to a 2 bedroom apartment and now to another 4 bedroom house.

I attend Morton United Methodist Church.

I have felt like a newbie many times.

I have been to Chicago three times in 8 months (and loved it!).

I spent Thanksgiving weekend in St. Louis.

I have leaned on my brother and sister-in-law more than I ever thought I would.

I know the inside of a hospital more than I ever thought I would.

I have attended my first Pumpkin Festival parade.

I have watched my daughter Molly perform in her first ballet recital. Very cool.

I have loved my family even though it has to be long distance.

I have survived a hard year! We are survivors! The Shook's are survivors!

One year ago today our world was turned upside down. Mike came home to tell me that he had been laid off from his job in Rochester Hills, MI. It was a devastating experience yet I know, deep down, that this was God's plan for us. When one door shuts another opens. It may have required me to expose myself, to put myself out there, to move, but it has all been his plan. I am trying so hard to go with the flow in life. My heart breaks for those out there who are struggling to find a job. My heart breaks for those who have felt the same scared, frustrated, angry feelings that we have felt. It can be really hard to have faith, it can be really hard to hold your head up high. I know because we have been there. What a difference a year can make! I live in the Land of Lincoln. We visited my brother and his family last March for Easter and I never in my wildest dreams thought that 4 months later we would be 30 miles from them. Never say never! Mike and I prayed that God would show us what road to take and he did. And I know I'm right where I'm suppose to be.

A road trip...

We are headed to the promise land tomorrow, oh I mean Ohio, for Mike's class reunion. We are leaving on Thursday at noon so we will get there late on Thursday night. Hopefully by 11 or so. I think we are all way over due for a dose of family so this will be good. We haven't seen any of our Ohio family, except my mother-in-law who came in February when Molly was in the hospital, since Christmas. Since then my dad, my grandfather and my mother-in-law have all had hospital stays. It is really challenging, especially regarding my Dad, when they are in the hospital. My heart says to be with them but my little people make it hard to do so. I really struggle with the right thing to do in those circumstances. Unfortunately I don't think there is a right answer...

Anyhoo, I think Mike and I are secretly psyched to have an evening out at his reunion. I'll make fun of how hokey the country club is where it's being held (and it is hokey!!) but it will be great to hang out with friends that we don't see often for an evening. Going to Mike's reunions are always better than mine because I have an instant partner in crime. Mike is a twin and his brother, Mark, will be there as well as his wife, our sister-in-law, Emily. Many of Mike's classmates have fun wives but it's always better when you know someone. We have already briefly discussed our outfits so it won't matter if we are over dressed or under dressed because we will be similar. I already know that this shindig isn't a dressy evening! There will be a blue jeans and t-shirt couple mixed in for sure. Gotta support their NASCAR driver, right? It's really an "anything goes" affair. Details and pictures to follow...

Until then O-H-I-O!!! Go Bucks!

Amanda #2!!...

It's hard for me to imagine that today we are celebrating our baby's 2nd birthday. All my children are my babies but this is the birthday of our littlest bundle of spunk. She was a spitfire from day one and we have had 730 joyous days of her love. Amanda wants to do what ever her big brother and big sister is doing and is determined to succeed like a 5 year old, not just a toddler turning 2. Mike and I aren't sure if her life as made us feel younger or much, much older. Some days its a little of both! We look forward to many, many more birthday's and many, many more fun experiences with her. Happy birthday, Miss Amanda! We love you!


This is one of our favorite pictures and is just minutes after Amanda was born.


Our first family picture!


Our little Nemo at Halloween 2007


One year old


Christmas 2008

The beast has been tamed...

Here are before and after pictures of the shrubs that were just driving me crazy!! I am so glad that we were able to trim them today. It is such a good feeling to have tackled that beast. Thanks to The Sullivan's for the electric cutters. It would have been impossible to do by hand. The window that was behind the beast is in the dining room and the light in there is so nice. It's amazing what a trim can do!

The positives...

We have officially been homeowners again for one week. The stripping of wallpaper and the painting began Monday morning. The Comcast cable guy has been to our house twice (grrr....). The mitigation system has been installed for radon. Our carpet is coming TUESDAY!! There has been a work person here every day and it is wearing on me. I know we will be so happy when everything is done but it's hard to constantly have someone in the house. The painters are great but I haven't been able to touch the upstairs at all yet. It feels dusty and dirty. Taking deep cleansing breaths.

I thought I would include some pictures of things I have found I really like about this house. It's nothing big but I have found some favorites. I think this validates that I have a really simple mind. :)


I love this back yard!! There will be a bit of weeding to do, though.


I never thought I would love a flat top electric range top but this one is great!


The trash can is under the sink and rolls out to open. Love it and so clever!


The washer and dryer came with the house and this is great set. They are high efficiency and can hold a mean load of laundry. The digital panel tells you how many minutes are left on the cycle. Brilliant!

I am quite tired as besides moving this has been a busy week. Molly is busy with her first dance recital this weekend and we have commitments with it last night, tonight and tomorrow. Pictures and details to follow. Just a preview - we realized we have a bit of a performer on our hands!

What a real mess looks like...

Moving is really not a very fun chore. It feels like my whole world has been turned upside down. Yesterday we went to the local library to sign up for their summer reading program for kids. We checked out a stack of books and I had to get a Kroger bag from the librarian to put them in. She commented that I usually have my own bag and I agreed that normally I do. I just can't find it yet!! There are about a thousand other things like my library bag that I can't put my finger on. It would also include my camera which I had yesterday and now I can't locate. Today's pictures are a good representation of what's going on here and I had to take them with my phone so the quality isn't as good. I can't believe I'm sharing my mess. The pictures show the kids sleeping arrangements until the bedrooms are painted and have new carpet, a picture of the girls room which had paper stripped yesterday and my kitchen. Oh well, maybe I can do before and after's. I also had to include a picture of my fabulous pantry. Oh, it's the little things in life!