Shell's Diaries

It's been one year since we found out the results from John's MRI that was performed July 2, 2010.  He'd been having headaches non stop, 24/7 for about 6 weeks prior, when his doctor felt that an MRI was necessary to see if there was something going on in that brain of his that we should be aware of.  I remember where I was, the day when John called me after his doctor told him what they found. He called me on the phone, I was home with 1/2 the kids, he had the other 1/2, at the 4th of July breakfast and flag raising put on by our church. John:  Well, I got the results back from the MRI. Me:  And??? John:  They found something. Me: (My immediate response) Is it cancer? John: No, but there's something there. I'll tell you when I get home. Me:  Okay, bye. My first thought?   Relief that it wasn't cancer. My second thought? What the heck is it, and does 'whatever it is' need to be removed?  I honestly can't remember the details of when he...

It was a last minute decision, literally, to go see Tim McGraw last night.  John had talked about it for a week or two, but never purchased any tickets.  He's not one to pay full price for anything if he can avoid it.  He'll gladly tell you the C for his middle initial stands for cheap.   So, avoid it he did.  He arrives home from work at 4:30, gets on Craigslist to see if there are any good tickets for sale, happens to find 2 from someone that lives just down the street from us. I put lipstick on, hairspray my hair, he changes his shoes, and we're off.  We left at 5, the concert started at 7 p.m., about 15 miles north of Vancouver, about a 45 minute drive from our house.   On our drive there this was some of our discussion... John:  Have you ever been to a concert before? Me:  Yeah, John Denver, when I was a little kid. John:  No, I mean a REAL concert. Me:  What? That WAS a real concert.  (What girl doesn't like Joh...

Kinda, sorta... for me anyway, and not my kids. I don't know that there's been a summer vacation I've looked forward to more than this one; yet at the same time I felt kind of sad for my kids to be done with this particular school year.  They, on the other hand, couldn't WAIT for summer to begin. (Now, if only the weather would cooperate). I just want to give a gigantic thank you to all 3 teachers of my children. They were fantastic. I was at school today, their last day, helping out where ever I could, as I've done each Tuesday this school year.  And as I was watching the teachers say their goodbyes, give their hugs, tell me all the wonderful things about my kids that I love to hear, I really could feel their genuine love FOR my children.  I could sense their sadness to see each child go, if only for a few months, even though they'll return after labor day. But it won't be the same. They won't be their teacher again, and they won't have the same in...

Well..... here goes. Wasn't sure if I should post such a topic. You know, there are some things that should just remain silent, kept to ourselves.  It's a sensitive topic, one in which I've thought long and hard about. And one that I may need to remind myself of, if I happen to get addicted to it. I've got to be careful, or I could eat my own words.  Try as I might, I hope I don't fall into this dangerous habit that has afflicted millions world-wide.  I pray that my children will not get caught up in it when they are older, although I know that the influence of the media, friends and peer pressure will remain high, and could alter their decision making, and ability to lead productive lives.  Enter..... the SMART PHONE.  That darned piece of electronical technology that is driving me C R A Z Y!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And just in case you're wondering..... I certainly DO believe everything I just wrote in that previous paragraph.  And I worry for myself, that I mig...

As the years go by, and the more children I have in school full time, the more READY I am for summer vacation. I was reading a blog post of a friend who was explaining how she needed to appreciate each summer home with her kids.  I felt like I needed to do the same thing.  Writing things down usually helps me appreciate my circumstances better. I am a routine kind of person. I like a schedule, I like things to be done orderly, and I like consistency.  But when the end of May nears.... I am SO  ready for none of that.   Here in Oregon, school doesn't get out until around mid June.  The kids are ready, by Memorial Day, to be DONE with school; and so am I.   *  I look forward to not having to get out of bed by 6 a.m. to wake my oldest up. (He insists that he arise at 6 a.m...... I'm determined to get him an alarm clock that won't break or die before September). *  I  am glad to be done with homework for a few short m...

I love my friends.  I hope you ALL know who you are.  If you are reading this via Facebook, then, by all means, you ARE my friend.  Friendship, to me, is so important, and entails many different aspects.  I just came home from a wonderful trip to Arizona, to visit some long time friends; friendships that were formed 20 years ago as a freshman in college.  I can't believe it's been that long, yet we still keep in touch, and as one of them said to me after I came back home...."we can pick up right where we left off", even if it has been 9 years.   While I was away in Arizona, and since I've been back, I've spent a lot of time pondering on why friendship is so important to me, and what it is, exactly, that binds us closely to one another. (Although, John does not understand why a woman needs a break every now and then, just to be with "friends" to reconnect, and be refreshed and remotivated..... still working on that one with him).  Yet, that is the...

I mean really, what mother on earth glories in this day? Can we just skip the festivities, the potted plant from church that dies a week later, and move on to Monday? Is it really the only day of the year that those we care for feel the need to celebrate who we are and what we do?  Don't worry, I don't really feel this way. I feel blessed that my family does not limit their gratitude towards me just on this day only, I've got loads of cards and pictures from all my children made on all the other days of the year, celebrating me, their mom, who, for some reason, they love. But maybe there are some out there who DO feel it's the only day, out of obligation, they are celebrated.  And what a shame it is if that is the case. One of my favorite books is by Emily Watts, Being The Mom : 10 Things I Learned By Accident, Because I Had Children On Purpose .  Just the mere title of the book put my mothering days into perspective. I knew, as I read through those pages, that the...