A Process

The changes I talked about in my previous post are definitely a process! They're a process of wills and won'ts...and a process of having the will power to actually make the changes. Making changes is not easy. I want to do this or do that so bad, but at the same time it's not easy when you actually start to make the change or do something in the step of making a change in your life. So here goes...I'll list a few of the changes I'd like to work on...

• Be healthier by eating better, getting more exercise & doing more activities by just getting up & moving more...which essentially is to lose weight!


• Be more organized...hmmm--that's a hard one when I haven't felt so motivated!

Well, I've got to go for now, so I'll write more later!

--Shelly

Choices & Changes

We have the option to choose...Isn't that what's great about life? Making choices changes things in our life one way or another. We can always choose. I've been working out in my mind & heart certain choices and changes I need to be doing in my life...and those certain things feel like huge mountains right now and I'm wondering how in the world will I ever overcome or rather conquer them?!? I think I need to work on gaining acceptance with these changes and realize an understanding with the choices, then move forward in choosing what to change.

My mind & heart have been overthinking many issues lately...I feel an overload...I feel that I suffer from overthinking too much...I feel like I'm in isolation(in my thoughts) at times...I need to release my thoughts and help myself through this thing called 'life' in one way or another and by putting all my thinking into words on the screen I think it will help me gain a better perspective of what needs to be done in my life. (excuse the run-on sentence there)

I'll end with this quote I came across about an hour ago...

May I be filled with loving kindness
May I be well
May I be peaceful and at ease
May I be happy

Now that is how I want to feel all the time! I think we all want to feel that way. Bye for now...I need sleep...take care!

This thing called 'life'

I am thankful for my life and the people who are in my life. I'm especially thankful for my family. I don't know how I could do it(this thing called 'life') without all my various family members. Each person in my family is here in my life for a reason and I may not know the exact reason why right now, but I know one of the main reasons is to help me make it through my life by learning, making mistakes, and learning some more. I know one thing for sure and that is that family is the key to success in life.

The above paragraph was completely inspired....I didn't really think about it too much as I wrote, my thoughts just came out as I typed them onto the computer screen. I really felt like writing it, so I did. That's it for now...take care!

Posting

Here I am posting again after too long of an absence! I am not so diligent in my blogging...maybe that will change--I hope!

Mother's Day weekend was wonderful with my family. My sisters were home to visit. It was good to be with family. Mother's Day Sunday was a good day, too. My hubby & son gave me a wonderfully sweet card & perfect gift!

More to come...to be continued!

Having a toddler...

Our little boy is 2 1/2 and he is VERY busy and VERY independent. He doesn't want us to help him with anything. And, he doesn't think we can tell him anything...like when we ask him to pick up his toys, he'll say, "Mommy pick up toys" or he just says "No." So, we've been trying a new system...we took away some of his toys and he doesn't really seem to miss them(I think that probably means he has too many toys to notice!) And, we've also incorporated a reward system with stickers on a calendar. We give him stickers for being good, listening to mom & dad, and/or helping out with something when we ask. Once he gets 3 or 4 stickers in a day he can get a toy or his beloved stuffed cow back. Like my dad says, my hubby & I just need to "stick to it" with our toddler and pretty soon he'll understand that he needs to listen(or we hope he does!)

Having a toddler is so full of fun, laughter, and love...but it's also full of challenges and my hubby & I need to work on being more patient and understanding with him. I think just in the last few days of implementing these new changes, it has helped me to love our son more and I'm thankful for that, because he is our son, moon, & stars!

Life Changes...

In the past year this little Child family has had many changes...some good, some not so good, and some downright sad...but through it all we've remained a family & that's what is important!

Here's some of the changes in our life over the past year:

• About a year ago today, Dustin's position at Bear Creek Ranch in Montana was eliminated...talk about a life changer! We lost our livelihood and would be losing the place we called home, too. Dustin's father also lost his job the same day for the same reason.
• Then not long after that we found out the new edition to our family that we'd been so excited about was gone. On March 12th last year we found out our little baby I was carrying had stopped growing. What more can I say other than miscarriage is heartbreaking.
• Dustin got a temporary job while we were still in Montana. He built and repaired fencing. We were thankful for that job while it lasted.
• We moved back to Idaho at the beginning of May. Dustin still remained in Montana through May working the temporary fencing job. I am very thankful that we moved so close to my parents during this time.
• Dustin came back home the end of May and found a job at the beginning of June with a farmer. He'd worked with this farmer in the past so we thought this job would 'work out.' Dustin worked for this farmer for 8 long months. He worked many many long hours to only have to practically beg for a paycheck when payday came around. Each and every time payday arrived we never received a check on time. Along with that problem, Dustin had to deal with working at a disorganized operation which was not easy.
• Dustin had continued to look for work off and on while working for the above mentioned farmer. Well, he had an interview with another farmer at the end of January. The very next day after the interview his current boss let him go. He told Dustin he was reorganizing his employees and wouldn't need Dustin anymore. And, Dustin's last day was Jan. 31st! That didn't give us much time to find something else!
• Then Dustin got offered the job by the second farmer and we hoped this would be a better situation. But after 2 weeks of being hounded every day with impatience and too high of expectations, Dustin quit this new farming job on Feb. 15th.
• We went two weeks(almost) with Dustin not working. Thankfully we'd sold Dustin's pickup and had money leftover from buying the Expedition to help get us through this time or I don't know what we'd have done.
• Now Dustin is working for a new farmer in Murtaugh and this one seems to be 'the one.' He's worked 3 days and he's come home satisfied and happy each day. I am happy that he is happy with his new job. Let's hope and pray it remains this way!
• Last week we received a bill in the mail regarding my miscarriage...well, it upset me quite a lot since it's been almost a year now and we certainly didn't need another bill to pay. We thankfully got everything straightened away with it and now we don't owe that particular bill. I called the company about the bill and was put on hold a few times through the conversation. When the customer service lady got back on the phone telling me that we didn't have to worry about this bill any longer and that they'd take care of it--I was speechless and crying, of course! I believe there's angels watching out for us all the time they just show themselves in unusual ways and I am ever so thankful.

You know I think life throws us all these curve balls to help mold us into better people. Life is a learning process and our little Child family had learned A LOT in the past year. We've learned that we need to stick together and be there for each other to make it work. We've learned that LOVE is a big part of the answer in solving problems that arise. We've learned that giving hugs or loves and saying "I love you" is important to do all the time. We've learned that communication is vital in everything. And, most of all we've learned that we want our family to be a Child family forever, so we've got to do our best to work together to make it stick together always and forever!

Love,

--Shelly

Yummy Breakfast Burritos!

My previous posting is a copy of the post from a cool blog--Mama Go Round & her wonderful breakfast burrito recipe! I came across this blog & recipe about a week ago. I've been wanting to make these breakfast burritos ever since! Well, tonight I made them & they are totally yummy! My hubby & I tried them & loved them at first bite! Thanks to Mama Go Round for sharing this fantabulous recipe!

Momma Go Round: Big Bad*** Breakfast Burritos

Momma Go Round: Big Bad*** Breakfast Burritos: "BSB loves breakfast burritos. Seriously, it might be an addiction. Problem is, getting up in the morning is not his strongest quality. Lea..."

Patience...

I need to learn patience, patience, & more patience! I think this will be a lifelong task for me to work on, practice, & work on some more. My 2 1/2 yr old teaches me & reaffirms that I need to have more patience. Just when I think I'm doing better in the patience department, he comes along & I find out that I'm still a long way off from mastering patience. I am thankful for my son and love him because he has taught me so many things & I'm sure he'll continue to teach me so much more as the years go by. Well, this is all for now--my son needs my attention & patience!

What a day!

Monday...what a day this has been! I should say what a last couple of days this has been...lives can change so quickly. I am hoping & praying all in my family's life works out for the best. We're here to be tested...but sometimes I wonder how many times do we have to be tested? But, then at the same time I wonder if I should be wondering about that, because then we may be tested even more! So I should quit wondering & have no worries...if only that was the case! Well, I'm not making a lot of sense so I'll stop typing for now & come back later! Take care!
--Shelly

Gratitude

I think being thankful is a very important quality to possess all year long and not just during Thanksgiving time. My older sis gave me an idea to start a gratitude journal. I think it's a good idea, so I will be starting a new journal idea. I'll start here in this post listing a few things I'm grateful for...I'm grateful for my son--he keeps me on my toes, but he can also be a big sweetie as well....I'm grateful for family. I'm grateful for my hubby--I love him & I'm glad we found each other...I'm grateful for my creativity & for all the projects I do & make. My creative projects are a big part of what keeps me sane(at least most of the time!) Well, I'll end my post for now! Have a good one!
--Shelly

New Post = New Year

Happy 2011!!! I know I'm like 20 days late, but better late than never, right? Well, I've decided to work on my blogs again, so let's see how this run works out--hopefully better than the last go around. I need to do more things for myself, so I think working on my blogs will be one of the things I do just for me. It's going to be a part of my 'me-time' for now. I think we as women all deserve me-time. We need time to regenerate & recoop after being a mom & wife 24/7. Well, I'll be writing more in the next few days or so...take care & have a great week!
--Shelly

So this is how it ends...

"So this is how it ends" is the first line of a song I heard on the radio after finding out about some horrible news. The song is "Red Light" by David Nail. And, now over a month later I still get a little teary eyed when that first line comes on the radio...because it brings me back to the moment the radiologist told us our baby was gone and there was no heartbeat.

I've delayed in posting something new here on my blog mainly because it's been a hard thing for me to read the posting just before this--the one from February. I think I'm getting a little better about it...but it's still hard. You see I had a miscarriage. We found out at the ultrasound on March 12th when I was 11 weeks. But the baby only measure at 8 1/2 weeks which is about the last time I posted on here! Losing our baby has been difficult for me--some days are better than others. Life goes on no matter what happens & sometimes that's one of the harder things for me to understand. I feel like we should have moments that stop time so we can cope...but that doesn't make much sense & that's not how life is--so we must go on & learn how to handle what has happened in the best way possible.

Miscarriage has been a whole new experience for me. It's been full of sadness and loss, but also lots of love and caring at the same time.

Almost 9 weeks...

I think I've already let the 'cat out of the bag' on facebook...so I might as well here...I AM PREGNANT!!! And, if you can't tell we are very happy & excited about a new addition to our family! Shane will have a little baby brother or sister! Dustin & I are very much over the moon about this....And, as my title says I am almost 9 weeks along. Tomorrow will be the 9 week mark. I am due on Sept 29th--which is my cousin, Kim's birthday--but I'll most likely have the baby a week or two before then. I have been quite sick & very exhausted w/this pregnancy, too. So it's been a struggle, but today's been a wonderful day(thankfully!) and I'm hoping for many more days like this one. I am so grateful for my amazing husband--he's been helping me out so much w/everything. And, Shane is my little helper, too--or at least he tries to be--the little darling!

Well, I'll end my post for now & write again soon....Love you lots!

Up in the Night

Here it is 3:30 am & I am wide AWAKE! I've been counting sheep(not really!) But I have been going through different things in my mind to help me go back to sleep & so far none of it is working...so here I am blogging away in the middle of the night-or should I say early morning?

Patience is something I really need to work on & develop more. The funny thing is I posted something about needing to be more patient on facebook yesterday & I got all kinds of responses that they need to do the same thing! I guess I'm not alone in my quest to improve an aspect of my life! The crazy thing about getting so impatient is that many times we have no control over the other thing or person that we're letting ourselves get impatient about...we spend so much time snapping to be impatient that we forget to calm down & chill for just a moment. And, maybe in that moment we would realize the need to slow down & think about how we're acting and start being more patient w/ourselves, others, & things. I know this is a learning process & it's for our own good--it's just convincing myself of that to believe it!

Another issue I need to work on is motivation. I'm feeling a huge lack of this in my life as of late & it's starting to bother me to the point where I know I need to do something about it. I've felt so tired lately, too--so my struggle to find motivation has been tampered by my fatigue.

I hate to be blogging so negatively! Sorry about that...I need to move on to happier things! Hmmm...let's see--this year 2010 seems to be turning into an exciting year. I'm looking forward to all that will happen. Shane is blossoming into such a busy little boy more & more each day. I love him dearly even though he does try my patience, send me on chases(after him), have little tantrums, & give me stinky presents. He's my little boy & I love him more than I ever thought I could ever love a baby! Dustin, my honey, is wonderful. He is so patient & understanding. I am thankful every day that I found my best friend. I love Dustin w/all my heart.

My card making makes me happy, but I haven't done a lot of it this year so far. I need to do more of this--to have more cards made & to give myself some 'me-time' so I'll be happier! My 'me-time' doesn't get to happen too often, so I have to enjoy it whenever I get a chance. I also need to work on scrapbooking...it seems there's always so much to accomplish & not enough time to do it don't you think? I still need to do a scrapbook for Shane for his first year, then start his scrapbook...then make a scrapbook for Dustin for the Valentine present I gave him last year...then I need to do a scrapbook for our wedding almost a year ago! I definitely don't have enough hours in the day for all of that...so I need to prioritize & bit by bit I'll get it all done!

Well, I think I will head back to bed instead of being 'up in the night.' So, take care for now & I'll write more again at a later date!

Love,
--Shelly

Another day...

Good afternoon! I thought I'd type in a quick blog before my son wakes up & my sis-in-law Wendy shows up. This week has gone by slow it seems...maybe it's because I've been mulling many things around in my heart & head. I have been working on coming up w/a few resolutions, but for some reason it seems harder for me to do--? I guess it's because I want to be successful in doing the resolutions, so I need to choose wisely. I know I need & want to be healthier for many reasons. And, I know I want to get back into doing family history a bit. And, I want to continue w/all my scrapbooking & card making. It's just finding the time for all of it--that's the hard thing!

On a sad note, my dear Uncle Dewey passed away Monday, January 11th. He was 89 yrs old. Dewey was such a special man & he will be missed by us all. But at the same time he, I know he had a very joyous reunion in heaven w/his wife & all his other family members who have passed before him. I love you, Uncle Dewey!

Well, I'll end this blog post for now. Take care!
Love,
--Shelly

2010 here we are...

Wow, it's hard to believe that it's already been 2 weeks into the new year! ANd, it's a whole new decade at that--2010!!! Where did the last 10yrs go--?

Well, to make a long story short...I moved from Salt Lake City, UT in Sept 2000 back to Burley, ID. Let me rewind a bit here--I lost my job at the finance company I worked for in Salt Lake, so I decided to move back to Burley & live in a smaller town. I had grown tired of the big city life. I went back to school for a few years (at ISU & CSI) while working at Wal-Mart in Burley. Then in 2005-2006 I began to get burned out of my job...so early 2006 I started my job hunt in Twin Falls, ID. I had also decided I needed a change of scenery & Twin seemed to fit the bill. I got a job at The Home Depot in Twin, quit Wal-Mart & moved to Twin Falls. I loved living in Twin--living by the canyon was awesome. My walks by the canyon rim were peaceful & healthy for me, too! Then came August 2008 when I became a mother for the first time! Shane Kolby--my baby boy is amazing! He keeps us on our toes & keeps us young that's for sure! Late November 2008 I got a phone call from a lady in our ward. It was Elaine Richman & she asked me if she could give her nephew my phone number. I told her why not & gave her my number. I met Dustin Child on December 13, 2008 & it was definitely 'history in the making' like the Darius Rucker song says. We started talking every day & seeing each other often. Then Valentine's 2009 came & Dustin proposed. We got married March 21, 2009. Then we moved to little Dell, Montana a month later on April 17th. And, now here it is January 2010! Wow--my cup runneth over for all the love & blessings I have received & been given in the last little while! Dustin is my man & I am his lady! And, we have our little man-man(Shane)!

I know I sped through a few years through the past decade, but sometimes that's the best thing to do. I still have memories of those years, but I felt like fast-forwarding to a more recent time & place for my blog! And, you know I couldn't have made it through all that I've endured & enjoyed w/out the love of my family! They are wonderful! And I am forever thankful for them!

Love,
--Shelly

3 days 'til Christmas continued...

I didn't quite finish my post earlier, but my son was demanding my attention-so I had to go back to mommyland for awhile & be w/him. So, hopefully I can finish my posting this time!)

When I wrote of extended family, I also wanted to mention Dustin's family. My husband's family is a very good family. I love them very much. They are great w/Shane. I'm grateful that they have accepted us into their family w/open, loving arms! Duane & Gloria, Dustin's parent's are good parents who want the best for their children. Sara, Dustin's sister that's just younger than him, is nice & she thinks Shane's a cutie. Sara is married to Bob & she has 3 kids from her 1st marriage. And, she is expecting a baby w/Bob--which is exciting for me because that means Shane will have a cousin close to his age! Sara's older 3 kids are Kylie(12), Kelsie(11), & Kwentyn(9). They are very cute, good, & fun kids. We don't get to see them too often, but we always have a good time when we see them. Then there's Dustin's little sisters, Wendy & ShawnDee. I have to make mention of them, of course! Wendy & ShawnDee are quite a pair. They are 3yrs apart in age and sometimes they get along and other times they don't. I enjoy spending time w/them. And, Shane LOVES spending time w/his aunts! They are wonderful w/him.

My family is a wonderful blessing in my life. I learn from them every day in one way or another. I love them and I'm glad they're my family! Have a very Merry Christmas!
Love,
--Shelly

3 days 'til Christmas

Wow, there's only 3 days left until the big day arrives! And, I feel like the luckiest person in the world because I get to spend Christmas with my wonderful family! They are amazing and I am so thankful for them!

I have a great husband who loves me and I love him. And, there's my sun, moon, & stars--my son, Shane whom I love more than I ever imagined I could love someone! He keeps me on my toes, tries my patience, tickles my funny bone, & warms my heart all at the same time!

Then there's my extended family...of course! There's my supportive and caring parents--what would I do w/out them? They have been here for me every step of the way and I love them dearly. Mom & Dad give Shane, their only grandchild, an overabundance of love & it's so fun to watch them w/him! My bro, Mike, is a good big brother. He is an even more awesome uncle to Shane! Mike spoils Shane as much an uncle can spoil his only nephew! Mike is so cute w/Shane, too. Chris, my older sis, is a good aunt & she likes to spoil Shane, also! Chris & her husband, Brian have been very helpful & supportive to me & I am grateful. Lesley, my twin sister is an awesome aunt! She loves her little Shaner so much! She was lucky enough to be the first person to hold Shane, too! And, if you haven't noticed--there's a pattern of being spoiled here...Lesley spoils Shane right along w/the rest of the family!

I am blessed. I couldn't think of a better way to say it other than that--I am blessed!

Holiday Happiness

I think the holidays always bring such a feeling of happiness w/them! This is my favorite time of year...It seems to begin w/Fall & it marches on through Winter to usher in the enjoyment, togetherness, and wonder of each celebration. During the holidays there's a warm and cozy feeling surrounding us and I wish I could bottle it up to keep all year long!

I love Fall in all its colorful glory. The world around us changes almost completely right before our eyes! Then, of course, Halloween follows suit right after the beginning of Autumn...And, I do have to say that Halloween is not a big favorite of mine. Although I do like the fun part of Halloween for the little children. Seeing little kids dress up and enjoy themselves--that's what makes it fun & full of excitement.

Next November arrives, the weather gets colder, and Thanksgiving approaches. I love the Thanksgiving holiday, too. This is a time of year we get to eat & eat & eat--even though we know we shouldn't!) I love this holiday because it's a time spent with family and that's where it's at in this life. Which reminds me that Thanksgiving '08 was the last time we all saw my cousin, Gary. He left this earth a week and a day later...and we will forever miss him and the great person he was. I know my life was definitely impacted by Gary in so many ways. Gary was a wonderful cousin, brother, son, & father. I love you Gary! And, I am very thankful we were able to see him before he passed on. He spent that Thanksgiving with all of us. I remember him holding Shane and how he said he loved holding him and loved how he smelled. Gary just looked so happy holding my baby boy. Thanksgiving's a time to be thankful, but I think being thankful is what we need do all year long.

Now, it's December 1st...And, Christmas is getting closer & closer. Our house has been decorated for Christmas since about a week & a half before Thanksgiving. I'm glad I decorated so early which really isn't early to me(because I've decorated earlier before!) The main reason I wanted & needed to decorate was to get myself out of feeling down & isolated. And, you know what?! Just by me decorating our tree and getting the house all festive elevated my mood and made me feel better--I couldn't help but smile! Adding in some Christmas music helped, too! Our home is full of holiday happiness and it's so cozy-warm that it makes me HAPPY!!!

I think I'll close for now...I need to do better w/this blog thing & be more consistent...but then I've been so busy w/so many things it's hard to keep up w/everything...if only that were possible, right? Well, take care for now! Love you lots!