Shell's Diaries

Have you ever come back from a vacation, or even, just from an outing, and thought, 'Well, that wasn't what I expected'.  Or you thought of all the things that went wrong, didn't go your way, or just complained about the most insignificant things that, at the time, felt like huge set backs?  I have.  Many-a-time. I remember when John and I went away for the first time, in 10 years of marriage, alone.... childless. We went to Oahu, and we were pretty excited for our first ever trip to Hawaii, and really, our first ever get-a-way by ourselves.  To me, going to Hawaii was like going to a movie that was talked up to no end, and everyone you knew said "It was the best movie ever... you are going to love it!". But then you realize that the movie was all hyped up and you didn't like it nearly as well as everyone else did. That was how I felt about Hawaii...... at first.  My thoughts of the unknown Hawaii, before we got there, was that it was gloriously sunny, pl...

In defending truth and right?  While the enemy assaileth, shall we shrink or shun the fight? NO!  In this day and time, parents have many choices of where and how they want their children schooled.  You've got Public, Private, Charter, or Home Schooling.  I have decided, for now, to stick with public schooling for a variety of reasons.  Being the conservative I am, some may wonder why I have chosen this path, as there are more and more liberal views pushed on students, and the funding of schools is completely out of hand.  I have many friends that home school, or do charter schools.  I would venture to say that we have come to our decisions based on thoughtful consideration and prayer because only WE know our children best, and what would best suit them.  This post is not, in any way, about bashing one system or the other.  As I said earlier, for NOW, I choose to go the public school route; that could change as the years go on.  The cur...

I remember about 7 or 8 years ago, that show, Extreme Makeover, which was for humans. I always thought it was amazing how, in a 6 week span, those people could look one way, and then look like a completely different person, unrecognizable. And then there was the spin off from that show, Extreme Home Makeover, for houses.  I love that show .   We usually watch it as a family. It's such a feel good show about helping out a family in desperate need, with a new home, in just ONE week. Lately, I've pondered a lot about "makeovers", remodels, and updates when it comes to homes, but also how some of the same principles in remodeling a house can be applied to remodeling our soul. Right before John and I were married, we purchased our first home in Ogden, UT.  It was in VERY bad shape. It needed a complete remodel, not because it was just "outdated", but because there were many things falling apart, like, a garage door, and cat smell that needed to be gone, among o...

I finally did it, after all these years of wondering if I should; deciding I'd better do it; got it done, then left it for a year. No posts, no pictures, I didn't even tell anyone I HAD a blog. But, I've had the itch lately, to finally join the ranks of all my blogging buddies and venture out into this world of communication that is creeping upon me ever so quickly. So what's the purpose of this you might ask? Why would you want to discover the happenings in Shelley's life, and family? Well, I don't know. Maybe you won't, maybe you will. It might just be some boring old post that you find no interest in. (My life's pretty boring, so there's a heads up already for you.) But, lately, I've had an itch (there's that word again, I'd better scratch it before it gets out of hand) for writing. I've had a desire to write in my journal more. I'm pretty sporatic when it comes to the journal writing. I'm trying to get better, instea...

First child born to John and I, a beautiful angel we named McKenna Claire. She didn't live long here on earth, just barely 4 months old when she passed away, but she had a hair bow on that little head of hers every day of her short life. It was pretty much the only feminine article of clothing she ever wore. Yes, on occasion she had a dress and an outfit or two to wear, but 97% of the time, she was nearly naked as a jay bird, except for her diaper. So the hair bow was very important to me, to be able to do those girlie things I longed to do. (I got REALLY irritated one day when one of her transplant doctors came in and said to me, "So how's he doing today?" I looked up at him, glared and said, "SHE is doing well.") I guess the bow wasn't enough for him to tell the difference. And then came Hunter. Our first boy, and first healthy baby. To tell you the truth, I was secretly hoping for a boy. I wasn't ready to jump right into having...

VALENTINE'S DAY - A Bitter/Sweet Occassion by Shelley Boice Ramirez on Friday, February 11, 2011 at 5:17pm For the longest time, I've wanted to write down my thoughts about this special holiday and why I love it so much, and at other times, why I dread it. For the past 13 years, when this day rolls around, I feel both emotions at the same time, but at the end of the day, knowing that this day brought much sorrow to my heart, it also warms my heart because of what I have waiting for me, someday. I like to think of McKenna being held by Jesus, shortly before she was born, October 21, 1997. And I like to think of him saying to her, "You have a hard road ahead, although it will be short, but I know you can do it, and I know your parents will love you all the more for it. I'll be waiting for you when you return." It wasn't but a few seconds after McKenna was born, in Ogden, UT, that doctors knew something was wrong. She wasn't breathing the w...