I'm Ready For Sun

Today it was cold. Isn't it Spring? It was a busy day with my nail appointment and all. It is weird being home now. I know that I made the right decision to not go full-time and to be home when the kids were out of school. But, when you have no one at home all day, it's weird. I guess the dog and I have become closer! This morning I mentioned to William that I didn't remember being so bored when I wasn't working. He reminded me that I went back to work when Camille started 1st grade. Wow...time flies. I think I'll look for something part-time at the high school. I can just imagine how much Zac would love it to have his step-mom there everyday! Today I went to a 5th grade graduation planning meeting today. Guess who's in charge? Oh well, I would rather delegate than do the actual work! It will be fun. It really got me thinking about how this was my last child in elementary school. No more carnivals, jog-a-thons, book fairs, show and tell, class parties or treat days. YA!! As you may have noticed, I did a new template for my blog. In doing this, I lost a lot of my blog links to my friends. So, if you don't see your blog under my friends, PLEASE sent it to me so I can add it. On another note, I am taking suggestions and ideas for new hobbies to keep myself busy. Do not suggest laundry, dishes, sock folding, sheet ironing, blind dusting, pet grooming, grout scrubbing or anything of the kind. I am looking forward to summer coming. This year I will be able to actually enjoy the pool with the kids. For so long it's been just a huge, water filled hole in the backyard. The kids are not allowed to swim when I am not home, so summer afternoons have historically been boring. Not this year! I hope we use it everyday. Finally, three years since we put it in and I might actually get in!

Memories...

Today has been a good day. The kids were at school. I was able to some time alone with "Edward". I talked with Julee for while. I was checking my e-mail and found this link. leslieandaaron.blogspot.com
My sister sent it to me. It seemed like the last eight years washed away....

In Love With Another Man!

Two words....Edward Cullen. My girls have been trying to get me to read a three book series that they LOVE. I said no for almost a year. Why would I enjoy reading a book that my tween daughters enjoyed. I was sure it was well beneath me. Well, Megan begged me just to start the first book. So, I did. I started with Twilight. I quickly read New Moon and finished with Eclipse. I know some of you have read these books, but if you haven't, go and get them NOW. Can you really lust after a fictional character? I say, absolutely. Is it strange, for a married woman in her thirties with 3 children, to search the Internet for more info on Edward? Let's just say that you-tube rocks. I'm giving you fair warning, do not call my house on August 2, 2008. The Ward girls will be with Edward. Megan said she claimed him first, but I'm bigger. I can take her out! It's been fun to have something to share with my girls. They are getting old enough to advise me on what to read. Crazy!

This Could Only Happen To Me!

Okay...so while we were in Utah, we were able to spend some time with my sisters Sydney and Stacey. We had a great time. Sydney and her husband, Jonas, were gracious and opened their home to us. They have 2 adorable little girls, Jocelyn and Brooklyn, and a baby boy Mason. They were so much fun. On Friday, we spent the day shopping with my sister Stacey. That evening, Matt, her husband, was going to help Camille build a model airplane for a school project. Megan would play with their kids, Bailey and Hayden. Matt is an engineer and can build just about anything. If he doesn't have blueprints, he can make it from a photo or make it from memory. They were able to find a picture of Amelia Earhart's first plane. Matt gave us a list of supplies and we went to Robert's Craft in Orem to buy everything. Stacey and Camille hit the aisles while Megan and I headed to the restroom. Okay, here's the good part. I had been talking on my cell phone on the way. As I went into the stall, I put my phone in my pocket of my capri's. The pockets were just little slits. When I was done, I reached down to grab my purse and that's when it happened. As I bent, my phone slipped from my pocket and landed right in the toilet! This was not just an ordinary toilet. It was a super, jet sucking, automatic flusher. As my phone fell into the toilet, it triggered the extremely sensitive sensor and the jet-action suction. Before I could even move, my phone was gone. I looked around for the hidden camera. There was none. It was embarrassing and humorous to inform the employees what had happened. They said I could get it back maybe on Monday when the plumber could come. I said, "hmm...I don't really want it back, I just thought you should know that you may have a plugged toilet." Who has ever flushed a phone? Only me. Typical and completely only something I could pull off! Another day in the life of Shelley. At least it wasn't the keys to my rental car. That would have been crazy!

Weekend in Utah

The girls and I had the opportunity to go to Utah last week for General Conference. I was wonderful to spend time with our family. Troy's family was in town for Conference and we were able to spend time with them. Pop spent most of his time in the meetings for the General Authorities, but Mom was able to spend some time with us. We spend all of Thursday with her touring downtown. Megan and Camille had never been to the Church History Museum, so we started there. They loved it! They were captured by the history. We had lunch at the Lion House and toured the Beehive House. Megan loved the Beehive House. We then took the girls to see the Joseph Smith story in the Legacy Theater. It was wonderful. It was an amazing film. Megan was especially touched. We then were able to meet with Pop for dinner. We were able to choose which session of conference that we wanted to attend. I chose to take the girls to the Saturday morning session. What an experience. One of the benefits of having your Father-In-Law as a General Authority is that the seating is excellent. We were only about 75 feet from the pulpit. Sister Sheri Dew sat next to us. (The girls were not impressed, they hadn't heard of her). As the Solemn Assembly took place the feeling was amazing. Pop had explained to the girls what would happen. Megan was surprised when they asked for the Young Women to stand and sustain the Prophet. She was the only Young Woman in our whole area. She stood alone in a sea of adults and raised her hand. It was very moving for me to watch. Camille was enthralled with the talks. She took notes on every speaker. After Conference, we walked to the Church Office Building to have lunch with the family. Troy's sister, Sheralee and her family were there as well as Aunt Maree. We spent the afternoon with my sister and then the evening with the family swimming at the hotel. It was a wonderful trip! We are so blessed to have such a great family to be a part of. In fact, the girls said the best thing their dad did for them was to leave them his family. What else can be said? We are blessed.

Caribbean Greetings!

Hello from beautiful Ocho Rios, Jamaica. William and I are on our annual cruise away from the kids. We are having the best time together. We both look forward to this week away from everything. It has been an interesting vacation so far. We started out Saturday and flew to Orlando. We were to catch our ship out of Port Canaveral. A new port for us. We had the chance to get bumped. We took it immediately for the free tickets. We got the tickets and lost my luggage. It is now Wednesday and I still do not have my suitcase. William took me to a speed shopping trip at a Target on the way to the ship. I grabbed a swimsuit and a pair of shorts and flip-flops. I have worn them everyday. It has been strangely relaxing not worrying about what to wear to dinner or which suit to wear to the beach. I was supposed to receive my bag today, but it was a no-show. We'll try tomorrow in Grand Cayman. The weather has been GORGEOUS! We do miss the kids. We should never have taken them last year. We sit around and comment about how much they would love this. We are going to take them on a cruise next summer to Mexico. William and I were trying to find time this summer, but we have none. So next year it is. When we talked about how old the kids would be next cruise, it dawned on us that it would be the summer before Zac's sophomore year, Megan's freshman year and Camille will be going into 7th grade. It's happening too fast. We are not prepared. It seems the day my kids left and William and I would be alone, is one that I have looked forward to coming, is now the day that is coming much too quickly. Scary. Anyway, if anyone wants to do the Mexican Riviera in June of '09, let's go!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Happy Hearts Day! No new photos to add. I broke Williams camera. They say it's common with the Rebel, but it was totally operator error. I thought if I pushed hard enough, the card woudl surely fit! Well, 4 weeks and roughly $200 later, we are waiting it's return. I hope to get it before we leave on our trip. William and I have had enough of the fog and rain and are heading for sun and beaches. We decided to use some of our reward miles and head to the Caribbean. We are taking another cruise. Cruises are not just for people in leisure suits. I love that I can lay on the beach and Wllliam can scuba dive to his hearts content! Then we can meet up for dinner and sleep in a really clean, bug-free, and quite room. We made our plans so late that we are doing the same islands that we did last year, but different ship. It will be fun anyway. Only 23 or so days. So, crash diet and tanning and we are off. YEAH!! NO KIDS!! NO ANIMALS!!
Camille will be going to Disneyland with a friend (scary) for spring break. I am a little nervous. I told her she could have a cell phone when she goes to middle school next year. Zac and Megan had to wait until then as well. Well, because she is going without me, I went and got her a phone yesterday. She is already a much faster texter than I. She paid to upgrade her phone. (I only provide the free phone). She wanted a Razor, so she wasted her money and bought one. She is so excited. Megan has the free phone, so already she is complaining! "Camille got her cell early, just like her I-pod. You will probably buy her a car at 14 and I won't get one until I'm at college!" I told her when she and Camille were lining up to be born, she shouldn't have cut in line!
William and Zac took a guy's Valentine trip to Eugene to watch the Ducks play. They so deserve a date. I wish we had more time for just the two of them to get away once in while. He is getting old. It's hard to believe that in 7 months, I will have a high schooler and no kids in elemetary school. I AM OLD! But, so are most of you. Camille laughed at me tonight when she saw that my moisturizer had "age defying". UGH...