Proof

In no particular order: Today was a busy, productive day. We did yardwork, cleaned rooms (love the clouds and bean bag chair. Thank you!)The boys and I ate cold corn on the cob (who cooks vegetables??), and it was a lovely, exhausting day.

My 31st Birthday Gift

It's coming up to be that time again... my birthday!! Yippee!! This is what I got for my birthday:
A Bissell Vacuum! Yay!!
We cleaned two rooms today (really! Be excited for us!!)And then we vacuumed. You will NOT believe the disgusting stuff that filled the clear view bin of stuff that was sucked out of our carpet. I am SO glad we got a new vacuum!!! Happy Birthday to me!!!
P.S. My sister, April, is having a birthday tomorrow. Happy Birthday April!!

I never thought I'd...

be a Soccer Mom.

Seriously. I always thought "who wants to sit around a field on their Saturday and drive their kids around?" Silly, I know.
Well, today Levi was signed up for soccer. I can only shake my head as I say this. It's what I get for marrying Matt. He is a soccer addict and has been since Levi's age. I see many, many years of sports ahead of me. There go my weekends. Oh well.

While I dreaded this always I know I'm totally going to be THAT parent decked out in the team colors, yelling my head off, and super supportive. What have we gotten ourselves in to??
~Soccer Mom

Looking for Sponsors and Support!

Losing weight is never easy, especially with genetics like mine and 5 pregnancies. It’s hard for me to imagine that I weigh 150 pounds and I’m not pregnant, nor do I have the excuse of having a newborn. My rolls are bothering me, my clothes don’t fit, and I must lose weight. However, I lack motivation. Incentives have always worked with me. That is why I am signing up for a triathlon and soliciting for pledges for my lose-weight-a-thon.

Schools constantly have jog-a-thons. This activity consists of students asking everyone they know to pledge money for every lap they complete while jogging around the field, thus resulting in money being raised for the school, and an afternoon draining their energy. It’s really a win-win all around!

My Lose-weight-a-thon is similar. I aim to lose 30 pounds by August 1st, 2010. I realize this is a large goal, however, I am confident that it is doable (with alotta, alotta work… not words, I know). The catch is I need an incentive. If you are willing to be a sponsor, please pledge anywhere from 1 cent to $2.00 per pound lost. Upon completion of my healthy weight loss, achieved by drastically changing my diet and increasing my physical activity, I hope to achieve my desired weight and improve my overall health, and of course, look better and feel better.

I will also be training for a Triathlon to be held on August 7th, 2010. Your sponsorship will help pay for my entry fee (every little bit helps). Of course, non-monetary support is also requested and needed! I need a cheering section and people to remind me of the importance of putting down the See’s candy.

Simply telling you all about my goals is the first step to me achieving this goal. I am not a slacker and would like to not be seen as such, and so, you reading this and commenting helps hold me accountable to my goal. However you choose to help is up to you. I appreciate your help with my lose-weight-a-thon. If you would like to pledge any money per pound, please email me at need_longer_days@yahoo.com. A sincere thank you goes out to everyone in advance!
Kindly, Shannon

Pajama Issues

I thought I was being smart in saving my boys clothes and handing them down. I guess for the most part that was a good idea. However, when it comes to pajamas we have issues.

Levi "can't" wear pajamas with feet. He needs them to breathe. He can't wear loose pants ones for some wierd reason. He will wear the tight fitting ones with binding at the ankles, and he really likes shorts (even when it's freezing).

Dylan doesn't fit in the fitting ones with binding at the ankles. His body type is not at all condusive to those. He will happily wear the pajama pants kind that are lose. He actually fights me in the morning when I try to take them off. Funny kid. He won't wear the zip up kind with feet because he knows how to unzip them and likes to strip.

Thankfully, Riley is happy in anything. Or, at least he can't voice his opinion as of yet.

Another funny thing is they (Levi and Dylan) are adamant about what they do or don't wear. I love polo shirts. Levi absolutely will not wear them (I MAKE him for pictures). Dylan must wear something with a football or soccer ball on it. These boys of mine are killing me!
Dylan is talking more and more. The funny thing he says a lot is "Mommy, mean guy" (when I get mad or put him in time out. Levi is a "mean guy" too sometimes.)

That's our update.

There's nothing like...

- holding your new child for the first time
- watching your kids' faces light up in sincere delight
- the nonchalance of a parent when you tell her that her son is failing
- the weirdos at our local Wal-Mart
- the smell of In N Out when I'm starving
- marrying the right person
- getting a good scream out (or a punch, or running, etc)
- food after a c-section
- being fake arrested by someone practicing for the academy (it's scary!)
- a good make out session
- the joy of a completed scrapbook page, beautiful hair bow, or creation of a cute card
- having a good boss at work
- tacos, filled rolls, or grandma's tapoica
- a good cry or a good book
- our Heavenly Father's dedication, compassion, or love for us
- my family!
- modern medicine, cool technology, and the brilliant people who think of these things

My list could go on and on. But that's what I'm thinking about right now. ~Shannon

He loves to JUMP!

Happy Easter! Grandpa came to spend the weekend with us. How fun!! Riley got to eat a Peep and thoroughly enjoyed it. I found a girl model for my bows!! Thank you Kim! 14 people around my table!! That's how it should be (not with me making that many kids though). Thanks Hannah and her fabulous family. It was wonderful visiting with you!! Who doesn't love Jelly Beans! Yum!