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.

An interesting conversation...

At our school they encourage at home to do a reading website called Raz-Kids. Molly is REALLY, REALLY into Raz-Kids. There are times where we have to peel her away from the computer. Tonight Molly read a book entitled "Riding with Rosa Parks." Here's the conversation that Cameron and Molly had about the book...

Molly was explaining that back, long ago, there were people with brown faces and people with blond faces. The people with brown faces had to sit in the back of the bus. Rosa Parks sat in the front of the bus but she had a brown face. The bus driver said she had to sit in the back of the bus. Rosa Parks said NO!! (In a very loud, stern voice). She got arrested from the police. At the end of the story the brown faces can sit in the front thanks to Rosa Parks.

Cameron then explained to Molly that the person who got the laws changed about people with brown faces was Martin Luther King, Jr.

This conversation brought a smile to my face. Wow. My kiddos are really learning something.

Tis the season...

Holy cow! What happened to November and most of December??!! I have been a bad, bad blogger. Lots has been going on so here's a brief photo recap...

One cute Indian that went to 4 year old preschool, the Lincoln Elementary Christmas program at school, and Molly and Haeleigh as Isabella and Candice from Phineas and Ferb at the TazWood Dance Company performance. Hopefully as we wrap up our Christmas activities (ours seemed to come early this season) we will have time to put into words a few thoughts. Until then, happy holiday celebrating all!!

Pumpkin Patch Party...

Today was our church's Pumpkin Patch Party. The kids had a fantastic time. We dug deep into the closets to come up with costumes this year. We have so many costumes I thought this might be the year to recycle something. I didn't think I could stomach another trip to one of those scary, creepy Halloween stores that is really a closed Big Lots 10 other months of the year.

Here's a few photos to share...one soccer player (with added stitches for effect), one Unicorn girl (your guess is as good as mine what a unicorn girl is) and one butterfly.

Other big news that has happened is that someone lost their second tooth...

Yes, someone lost their second tooth before their brother lost his second tooth. Those things happen, right?

Also, I got the neatest gift from my Prayer Partner at church. I was tickled to receive it and I think it will be a great decorating piece.

1%...

Did you know that only 1% of the population of the world will ever run a marathon? And guess what?...

My guy did and finished!!

26.2, baby!

I am so very proud of Mr. Shook for training, running and completing his first marathon. We drove to Columbus, Ohio last Friday, spent time with some friends, Mr. Shook ran a simple 26.2 miles and then we drove back 6 hours. I can't believe I'm saying this, but it was actually kind of fun. We were able to see Mr. Shook 3 times on the course and cheer him on. I think that it gave him the boost that he needed. (Or at least he better say it did!)

I will be the first to admit that I was very nervous about Mr. Shook's idea to do this. In fact, I cried when we dropped him off at the start. I think the majority of the world knows how hard it is to run a marathon. Many people try it unprepared. Even though I didn't think Mr. Shook was unprepared I was still worried. There were also some tears of joy when we saw him finish. I was very, very glad when he was done and I was so proud of his efforts. Actually, I teared up a few times seeing complete strangers finish. It was one of those emotional kind of experiences. I saw a man finish the Columbus marathon for the 36th straight year! And he was no spring chicken.

The kids did great waiting, the weather was perfect and they were their Daddy's biggest cheerleaders. And, it was my birthday! Isn't that how every loving wife spends her special day...cheering on her husband in his first marathon?

And, we LOVE Columbus! If we had the opportunity to ever move back to Ohio I think that's where I would want to be. Such a great city!

And as always...GO BUCKS!!

Another year of preschool...

Amanda started preschool last Wednesday. She was SUPER excited, never blinked an eye and had a great first day. Day two was just as good, too. Amanda goes three mornings a week to the same preschool she attended last year. It's called Fantasyland Preschool and I can't help but chuckle when I tell out of town friends where she goes to school. Does anyone from Ashland think that Fantasyland was the same name as an "adult" bar outside of Mansfield??!!

Here's some photo's of my baby.

Sigh.

She is really growing up...

We also did our annual trip to the local corn maze on Labor Day. The weather couldn't have been more perfect and we brought along some friends this time...

Miss Molly lost her first tooth, too, over Labor Day. This has been a long time coming. This poor tooth held on for dear life until it could hold no more!