It gets worse before it gets better

The drywall guy comes in the morning. Yee Haw! There is a light at the end of the tunnel! At the end of July the living room should be done! Drywall, paint, carpet, lighting. Tonight we unhook the internet...so I am expecting lots to catch up on when I re-plug. See you soon bloggy pals!

Just for fun!

This was just for fun.

1. What are your middle names? Marie and Lyle

2. How long have you been together? together 19 years...married 17.

3. How long did you know each other before you started dating? a couple years.

4. Who asked who out? Ron asked me.

5. How old are each of you? He's 39 and I'm 38.

6. Whose siblings do you see the most? His.

7. Do you have any children together? Yep, FIVE!

8. What about pets? We have tried several times. We are not pet people...we are kid people.

9. Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple? probably trying to raise such a handful of kiddos.

10. Did you go to the same school? Nope.

11. Are you from the same home town? nope, same area though.

12. Who is the smartest? we're smart in different areas. But I am certain he has a higher IQ.

13. Who is the most sensitive? Probably me.

14. Where do you eat out most as a couple? Azteca for Mexican food.

15. Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple? China to get our daughter.

16. Who has the worst temper? Me. I don't think Ron has ever raised his voice.

17. Who does the cooking? Me.

18. Who is more social? Me with adults, him with kids.

19. Who is the neat-freak? Me.

20. Who is the more stubborn? Me.

21. Who hogs the bed? Him.

22. Who wakes up earlier? Me.

23. Where was your first date? Red Robin.

24. Who has the bigger family? His extended family is bigger, our immediate families are the same.

25. Do you get flowers often? a few times a year.

26. How do you spend the holidays? It is different every year. Although we are spending more holidays at our house now that the kids are more and bigger.

27. Who is more jealous? we're not really jealous....

28. How long did it take to get serious? Maybe 6 months

29. Who eats more? he does.

30. Who’s better with the computer? we're both pretty savvy, but he's better with all the technical stuff.

Busy days of summer

I always look forward to summer time. It really isn't any less busy than the rest of the year, in fact in some ways it is busier. I do love getting some projects done around the house that I have put off all year as well as working in the garden.

Summer is off to a busy start just like the past 10 years. This month is my husband's tenth anniversary at his job as a youth minister. Whew! 10 years! Wow, have we learned a lot about ministry and teenagers. I could probably write a book. The Lord has taught us both so much and there is still so much to learn. You've come a long way baby! Ron and the older kiddos are off on a mission trip this week so things have been a bit quieter around here. Although whenever Ron and the olders are out of town Eden (11) seizes the opportunity and thinks it translates into 'PARTY TIME' for her. We have been to two movies, swimming, had a few friends over, had some one on one time with Grandma and it is only Wednesday! She leaves for camp in a little over a week, then maybe some rest and relaxation for mom. Nah, Evie(8) has great plans for that week already!

The garden is going crazy this year! I have so many tomato plants it is nuts. I planted 8 but at least another 8 have come back voluntarily. Four zucchini plants came back also. I have not been as diligent about weeding this year so when I do weed it is a major undertaking. I planted two raspberry bushes this year and already harvested about a dozen berries. I am so excited because this is the third year in a row I have tried raspberries and both other times they died to the lawn mower. If I can just get them through the year I think next year will be fabulous! I would love to try blueberries next year! Yum!

My mom and I recovered some chairs in my office at work. They were ugly orange and now are plain brown. They are still a little ugly, but at least now they blend in instead of BAM! I am also working on getting ready to paint the girls room. Last summer I painted Eden's room that ended up turning into Evie's room. Now Eden wants her room back so Evie may end up moving again. I have no idea what color...I would love new bedding but we will just have to see how that fits into the budget. We are also getting the living room ready to tape, texture and paint! YAHOO! This is huge for me! This will mean that the entire upstairs is finished! Yea!! I may have to throw a party to celebrate! There is a light at the end of the tunnel!

Have a great day! I am off to enjoy a beautiful day!

Hey y'all

Summer is in full swing here at the Shelby home. Ron and the kids are gearing up for Sports Camp next week with a mission trip that starts a week from today. Emma has been working her tail off doing yard work and mowing trying to earn money for a truck in the fall, she has a great start. I have had Eli busy working some hard jobs around the house this week including tearing up some old tile in the basement that left his hands all blistered, but it earned him a cell phone so he is a happy guy.

We took a long weekend last week and went and stayed at a friends cabin. It was very relaxing! I watched more TLC and Food Network than I had in a very long time. Also did some mindless entertainment reading which I also don't do very often.

Ron has torn down more walls in our living room and last night ripped off another wall of old sheet rock so we can re-insulate and run the last of the new electrical. This house was built in 1942 and it has taken us the last 6 years to change out all the old and replace with new. We are hoping to have new carpet laid in the living area in the next month or so. This may be difficult though with camps, mission trips and VBS sprinkled in.

I am so loving my job at the preschool, but can see I will really have to work at balance this summer. I find my mind going there a lot when I am at home thinking of ways to improve what is already well done. My family is very supportive and I want to keep it that way and not burn them out, or myself for that matter. I am trying to find ways to do work when everyone else is busy too, like next week at sports camp. Ella and I can go in and work in the mornings. That is the one great thing about working at the preschool, Ella thinks it is great fun to go and play while mom works.

Ella has started asking questions and making statements about God. Last night I was giving her calamine lotion for her mosquito bites and telling her that God would heal them. She said so sweetly "I love God". Last weekend she was pointing out ants to me and I told her how God said that ants are really good workers. She said "God told me to squish them". She makes me smile!

Wow! Look at this post. I guess it is either feast or famine around here! I am looking forward to seeing an old friend next week and getting back to some blogging. I have really missed my blogging friends.

This is a fun Summer look, don't cha think? Thanks LeeLou!

I am looking forward to a fun day in the sun and pool. Yea Memorial Day! The mark of the beginning of Summer! I am looking forward to burning my skin (it is tradition) and eating too much (also tradition). Thank you to all the service men and women who have fought for our luxurious freedoms.

I wish you a wonderful holiday with friends and family!

Here comes the sun do-en-do-do...

Life has been moving at warp speed lately...but all good. As I said before I am loving my new job as Preschool Director. This was the last week of classes and tonight we have a program and carnival. Lots of fun. Unbelievably it is all set up and I have time alone at home while baby girl Ella (3) is taking a nap. Again, unbelievable! I really expected to be there all day and night getting ready and cleaning up. Now all that is left is closing up shop next week. Then bring on Summer!

The kids are all finished with their classes! WooHoo! Again just a little housekeeping in that department and then it is a free Summer of sun and fun! I am looking forward to:
*Days at the pool - my in-laws
*Picnics at the park - watching the kids play on toys
*Trips to the water park - Pendelton
*Reading a book or two - any ideas? I am looking for fluff
*Summer Bible Study
*Catching up with friends - I feel very disconnected from my friends lately
*Vacation, camps, and mission trips (I think I am only going on vacation though)
*Grilling dinners
*Watermelon
*Tomatoes from the garden
*Lemonade
*Ice Tea
*Outdoor movies at Smoovies
*Preparing for the next school year at preschool and at home
*ENJOYING MY CHILDREN
*ENJOYING MY HUSBAND
Ahhh...I love SUMMER!

I simply have no thoughts

Life is busy and my thoughts are scattered. When I sit to post...I got nothin' When I am living life I think...this would make a good post. Always a day late and a dollar short. I am refusing to just post my weekly menus. Lame.
So I am thinking of re-naming my blog I SIMPLY HAVE NO THOUGHTS. That should get some readers, don't cha think?

Here is a little status report of sorts:
Working on: The garden - planting veggies
The yard - killing weeds
The house - tearing down walls...again...and sanding floors

Excited about: My new job as preschool director. I am loving it! It has great hours, great pay, and great coworkers.

Thinking about: How to connect with the girls in my Sunday School class.

Contemplating: How to punish my son for breaking the computer mouse. Every time I click on it I have to put it back together. Grrrr.

Looking forward to: A little vacation in a couple weeks to the mountains. Ahhh...peace...quiet.

Dreading: Putting all the winter clothes away.

Happy: Beth is feeling better!