Can I just tell you....

Things have been.. well, they've been. That's it. It's life. Right? I think I should blog about something, then I feel as though it's too trivial or too d*#@ depressing so I don't. Hence the hiatus since November when I had announced my big new "start"! Whatever!

Okay, on March 1st Lil' James turned 16! Holy cow! When did that crap happen. I mean I don't even know what to call him anymore, Lil' James seems so insulting now and I know he really doesn't like it. Hey, here's a thought... I'll call him 'James'! He's such a great son and I could really go on and on and dote on him with numerous colorful metaphors, but I wont drive everyone nuts with that. Just know that he is a hero to me and I am so proud to be his mother. Oh, he did go on his first double date a little over a week ago and he had such a great time!

I know this is an older picture of James (with my mom), but I realized I have no 2010 pictures downloaded onto my computer. That can tell you a little about how things have been going these days, Crazy!! I'll post some more recent pictures later.

Now jumping to another topic... I had a really nice visit from Emily yesterday. She and a friend stopped by and just hung out for a couple of hours. I really enjoyed seeing my Em. I don't get to talk to her a whole bunch, so it was a treat. I miss my girl :(

Well, off to get myself ready for all the things we have to do this weekend. James comes home Friday morning (this being gone every week buisness is getting OLD). There is a campout for both the James', Pinewood Derby for Daniel, soccer for Daniel Saturday morning, band competition for Aaron Saturday afternoon, Young Women broadcast Saturday evening, Oh and it's Daniels 9th BIRTHDAY ON SATURDAY!!! YAY!!!

It's a start. Right?

We have to start somewhere, right? I changed my background. Even I was sick of clicking on my blog and looking at that stinkin' ring of fire and same ole' background, ugh! I just didn't know where to begin, so I began with the background and it kind of felt good to look at something different. A new beginning. Most everyone who has been within 10 feet of me knows things have been tough for our family lately, so I wont go there. I feel as though my friends will begin to avoid me for fear of having to "hear it again". Sometimes I want to avoid myself...sleep helps, but I'm even sick of that. Hence why I am up at 2:40 in the morning finally updating my blog. It's time to stop being a sad, stressed (that really may not go away too easy, but it can be alleviated), lazy, non-motivated, weight gaining, missing out on my other children Fool. Heavenly Father has blessed me tremendously in my life and I know he is here for me now. He has blessed me with an amazing family and loving and supportive friends. There is certainly a reason he put us here in Richmond at this time... what would I have done otherwise? My parents are here this weekend for a visit and it has been wonderful to spend time with them. We have helped the boys begin some new ventures by switching each of them to getting their own rooms and the adjustment they are making to the hurtful changes that have happened. But, things are going to be Ok. I am just babbling now and that's just no bueno cuz I am making no sense. Basically, here's to new beginnings, but hanging on to hope and having faith that the future holds much for those we love and care for so deeply.

Jumping through rings of fire!

Something a mother is always willing to do for her children, right? Jump through a ring of fire for them. Yep, that is what my life has amounted to right now, a circus act. Except it's a bit more serious. The stress levels have gone through the roof, which might explain why my typical one day migraine has lasted three days. Let me also preface this with the fact that James has been out of town the last two weeks and will be out of town the next two weeks. He comes home Fri. evening and Sat. only to leave again Sunday. Naturally everything no bueno happens when he isn't here. Last night I spent the evening at the Sheriff's dept. helping to file reports to protect Em from some pretty scary threats she was getting from a person. I was one ticked off momma! I had to drag my 8 year old, who is now scared, with me into all of this! Am I still concerned? Yes. This person is still bugging Em. I don't like feeling uncomfortable in my own home, so I'm trying not to. I also don't like my children to EVER feel unsafe. This person said they were at our house while we were at the Sheriff's dept., so we told them that and they said to turn around and leave if there were any suspicious cars around and call. Thank goodness no one was at our house when we got home, but within 2 minutes of being home a deputy showed up to check on us... apparently they are taking it seriously, whew! Hopefully this person will realize they are in enough trouble and decide to stop the harassment. I will continue to jump through the rings of fire if need be, but it sure wears on you. I think I will try to get out of the house for a bit today. The circus is closed for the day.

Broken

Lifehouse is one of my faves... I love this band and their sound! This song is featured in the movie The Time Traveler's Wife... I am a music freak and could just drive around listening to it all the time, choosing songs for my moods..... this one is a fave right now. You will need to pause my music player on the sidebar, sorry, I debated whether I should take it off or not, but I love love love those songs, too and if you have a few minutes you should take a listen to some of those... Unwinding Cable Car by Anberlin is an all time fave, too!! Such a good song! I like Augustana a whole lot, too!! Like I said I can be a bit of a music goof... kinda like my kids ;)

Inspired by a friend..

After reading a post by a sweet friend and lovely young woman "F" about her wonderful mom I went to the church website and saw this video posted on the home page and how fitting was that!! I was looking for some articles for some comfort myself and found President Hinkley speaking so tenderly about women and how divine and essential they are to us. I felt important and loved. What a great reminder :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkUwh1YUMtE

I haven't figured out how to get youtube videos directly on my blog, so if someone can tell me I will change this from a link, but be sure to click on it or paste it and go watch the short video... it is well worth it.. Because as Aaron was saying that he learned in Deacon's quorum today... we are all "B-DOGs" beautiful daughters of God!!!

ps.. Kristie ask me who he learned that from.. ha ha ha ha......

pss.. I was able to get the video on here but it was too complicated to change to entire post, so I just added it below. Enjoy.. Love... Shel-

Hope this Helps...

I learned pretty fast that my bottom does not like the bike seat that came with my "comfort" bike. It's just too small, or my rear is just too big! So, I found a great website that sells these nice BIG cruiser bike seats. This one is a memory foam one, so I'm hoping it actually bounces back after I sit on it :) Now I get to anxiously await for a visit from UPS, yay!!

CaRaziNess

I love it when the kids get to spend time with their cousins... it just warms my heart. They love each other so much and really look forward to any time they have to play. Well, this Saturday my brother in-law Stan came up and brought three of his kids. We were celebrating sweet little Sam's 3rd birthday (little cutie patootie!). When it was time for them to head back home the kids began scheming on how they could stay together longer, so Aaron and Daniel ended up going home with them. I know one day of playing is never enough, so of course I wanted them to go.....BUT... I forgot about the fact that I have Scrapbooking here tomorrow (if anyone has anything they want to work on or just wanna come visit... it's at 10 am). Why is this a big deal?? Well, because I have a homemade Lego Land in my craft room where scrapbooking is held... I'm not kidding legos everywhere. Then Daniel had built a fort in the family room, so half of their bedroom is in there, oye vey! Oh, they did not stop there, for some strange reason there have been airsoft pellets alllll over the house and I hate to just throw them away, so I've probably picked up hundreds of these teeny buggers today while I've been trying to dig myself outta this mess! I am baffled at the number of these around the house and how they get into everyroom (mine included) when they are only allowed to shoot the airsoft guns outside.... hmmm. I have also been finding nerf bullets in interesting spots.. the pantry, the bathtub (??)..... Ah, yes my life with my guys! I think I just heard James shoot a nerf dart at the T.V. ARGHHHH.

There aren't too many times that they don't have one of these in their hot little hands.

That is why I am thinking I am feeling some of the CraZy coming on! I had great plans of accomplishing so much today, but so far I have been walking in circles picking up ammo. Okee, my break is over.