Way behind, but turning 9...

Oh goodness, where has the time gotten to with keeping tracking of monumental things in life?  Our lives were blessed for the better when our precious Molly was sent to us on Friday, May 20, 2005.  I can distinctly remember the feeling I had when I found out that our second child was a little girl.  Over the moon I tell you!  Molly has always been a joy and I am so glad to be her Mom.

Such a cutie at 1 year old!

4 year old Cheerleader

School Carnival

Kindergarten

Second grade

Summer 2013

We love you, Molly.  So glad that you are now 9!!!  You are a beautiful girl inside and out!

It's time again to celebrate...

My favorite boy in the middle of a Cameron sandwich turned

10

in January!

It was great fun with a Minute It, to Win It party at the school gym with 10 boys.  The best line of the night, when we were seriously losing control of the party, was by a friend who is in Fifth grade.  He said, "Mrs. Shook, this is what happens when you get together a bunch of Fourth graders."  Mike and I still laugh about that line.  It was classic!

Mike and I are so blessed to have Cameron as our son.  He has a passion for many things but mostly he loves Mindcraft, always his Legos, books and his sisters.  He is an all-around great kid who never gives us a minute of trouble.  In the off chance that he is a little bit obstinate he almost always ends up telling us before we could ever find out.  He wouldn't be a great criminal.

God gave us Cameron to break us in gently as parents.  And it worked, because who else would try it two more times??!!  We are blessed to have Cameron in our lives.

I haven't felt the need to blog in a while, actually quite a while.  I had felt like the ability to be myself had been damaged by some who didn't know me or appreciate me as myself.  You know what I say to that?  If it was appropriate to type I would do so, but let's just say I'm thinking it in my head.  Never ever let people make you question who you are.   It's OK for people to not like you.  But, it's not OK for people to belittle who you are.  Who you are is between you and God.  Period.

So, I'm going to try and be back!

My baby turned 6...

I'm in denial I think...

our baby is now 6...

and she is so full of life!

Amanda is such a love to her family...

and we cherish her very much...

even when we see this...

one girl who is so feisty!

Amanda, you are a beautiful girl on the inside and out that keeps us on our toes and gives the biggest, best hugs...

Enjoy being 6 Miss Amanda!

We love you very much!

Happy belated birthday to Molly...

This beautiful little baby now turned 8!!

Very hard to imagine that it's been 8 years since she arrived.  I didn't believe at first that a little girl had been sent to us.  I thought for sure Cameron was getting a brother.  But, alas, it was a mini Me!  Although she's truly more her Daddy.

Always a smile and always big blue eyes.

Fun loving and full of zest.

Serious but yet smiling.

Such a cutie!

A dancer girl.

Doesn't mind a little mud.

A little mother to all.

And a good friend to many.

Always have a big heart my special first girl!

We love you, Molly!

Cameron #9...

 Our first family picture 2004

 Cameron's first birthday

 Cameron's 3rd birthday

 Turning 6

Yesterday my first baby turned 9.

For the first half of the day I was a blubbering mess.

I cried taking him to school.

I cried thinking about this same day 9 years ago.

I called Mr. Shook at work crying.  (Note to self, I don't think he's a fan of that.)  Not that he cared I called crying, I think I made him feel a little teary as well.  Not very global finance-ish.  Mr. Shook talked me off of the ledge.

The thing I couldn't get over for most of the morning was...

HE IS HALFWAY TO 18!!!

HOW DID THAT HAPPEN??

These first 9 years have flown by and I know the next 9 will too.

Mr. Shook and I were so very blessed 9 years ago + 40 weeks when we were given the wonderful gift of our first child.  Cameron was the easiest baby ever.  EVER.  He was a joy from his first breath.  He is turning out to be a great kid, who loves his sisters, knows just how to get on their last nerve but is the best of friends with them as well.  Cameron does well in school, tries his best and is learning responsibility.  

Happy, happy #9, Cameron Michael Shook!!

Special day, special girl

Yesterday we celebrated this girl's FIFTH birthday...

She once looked like this...

but now she is growing up...and quickly!

As much as anyone hears me say what a handful Miss Amanda can be, please know that I feel very, very blessed to be her Mommy.  If you are EVER in need of a good hug, this is your go to girl.

She gives the VERY, VERY best!

Happy, happy birthday, baby!

We love you very much!

A sneak preview...

Oh my goodness, the days since school has been out have flown by!

How could I forget to post that my beautiful daughter turned 7!!!

Here's a sneak preview of the weekend we are having...dance recital!!

One costume of three...school girls dancing their jazz number to the Jackson Five hit ABC.

It is super, super cute!!

Molly,

We are so proud of the girl that you are becoming.  You have very little fear and will try anything once.  Keep up your self confidence and don't let anyone take away your spirit.  

We love you always!!

And p.s.  

Who doesn't think that the jazz picture above, with Molly's hair pulled back, makes her even more look like her Daddy.  She is ALL him! 

And I love it!

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

Kindergarten is over!!!...

This is a picture from our first day of Kindergarten.

This is a picture from today, our last day of Kindergarten!!!

Dear Molly,

You turned 6 years old last week and we could not be prouder of the young lady that you are becoming. You try so hard to be independent, you try so hard with your school work, you try so hard at all that you do. Please keep up the hard work and your diligence. You look so much like Daddy yet remind me of myself so much. We are so blessed to have you in our family. We will always love you!!!

P.S. I sometimes think that you might be the only one to take care of us when we are old. Remember that we liked you best!! (just kidding, Cameron and Amanda!!)

Love,

Mom (and Dad)

P.P.S.S. You will be awesome in First Grade!!!

More Kindergarten pictures...

40 and 2 days...

I don't really feel any different at 40 and 2 days. Everything is pretty much about the same. I had a good weekend of birthday stuff. I got the tears out early on Saturday morning and enjoyed the rest of the day.

Here are a few highlights...

Flowers...



A friend of my family who still lives in Erie, PA was able to find my birth announcement from when I was 4 days old. Back in the day (how old does that make me sound!)they use to print in the newspaper when babies were born at local hospitals. If you look carefully you can see that a baby girl was born to Allan W. Hall and Pamela McMurray Hall. It was really neat to see this in print...




Mr. Shook took me to a really yummy dinner with great company. We had a wonderful time. Look what was on the menu...



I have a mani/pedi coming my way that I look forward to redeeming. I got the best hugs from my small people and lots of kisses. I am a lucky girl!