Sisters weekend

The Shankle sisters are once again gearing up for a girls weekend. My mom started these after my dad passed away. There are 4 "original" Shankle sisters and 2 joined the group after the misfortune of marrying into the group. We went to Gatlinburg first, where we were spotted laughing our heads off at a theatre show. We were also seen getting our "old timey" pictures taken. On one of the Gatlinburg trips, we celebrated mom's 60th birthday (or should I say hottie).



We followed the Gatlinburg trips with a trip to Myrtle Beach. Little did we know, this would be the last girls weekend with mom. She passed away a month later. It is a wonderful memory to have even though she was very tired during this trip. She looked great and enjoyed spending some time with Channing. The sisters were spotted parasailing on this trip and the entire group was spotted leaving an expensive restaurant before ordering. We have since carried on mom's girls weekend tradition with an annual sister's trip.


The first one without mom was a cruise to the Bahamas. It was loads of fun and several sisters earned nicknames on that trip: Trippy Longstocking, Forgetful Freida or Bertha Certificate and Christopher Clutzo, (Dumb and Dumber was not earned on this trip). Yes we were a bit mischievous. Annette made us all shirts that said, "What happens with the sisters, stays with the sisters." They were a hit on the cruise. Many strangers weren't sure what kind of "sisters" we were since none of us look a lot alike. All I know is I did get us some "free" goodies on the cruise and we were noticed during the comedy show. If you go to the Bahamas, you have to get your hair braided,right? Well, 2 got our heads completely braided, 2 got half their heads braided and 2 got a couple of braids. I'm not partial or anything but the ones with their entire heads braided looked the coolest!



Anyways, the cruise was a huge hit and we all hope to go on another one together again. The following year we went white water rafting and horseback riding in West Virginia. All I'm saying is no one fell out of the boat but 1 came REAL close. I think my bottom is still bruised from that delightful 3 hour tour on the horse. A milestone birthday was celebrated on this trip (40) and others are sure to be celebrated in the future. The cabin ( I won't name names on who booked the trip) was a little less than desirable and I doubt any of us will return there soon.




Which now brings us to this year's trip. We are planning a wild and crazy (lol) weekend at Disney. Two of the "sisters" have never been to Disney so this will be lots of fun. We also hear there's some kind of balloon ride to explore. This trip you will probably see the sisters sporting our original shirts made by Annette, followed up with new minnie shirts made by Annette, and princess shirts made by me and some cute (if I do say so myself) Minnie flip flops made by yours truly.


One quick note on the princess shirts. In a night of brainstorming with a couple "sisters", we developed princess names for each of us: The eldest, responsible individual who keeps track of all us...Snowette. The unfortunate in-law who is very patient (probably closer to saint hood)who is married to a 6'4 "beast" is Lisabelle. Then there is the clean freak. Constantly cleaning up after everyone is Chantella. The next sister really prefers not to wear dresses, ever so she's the princess who prefers "pants" Tonasmine. Then the one sister-in-law who makes us all sick cause, well, she's tiny, well she's the only one that would look good in a bikini is Amandriel and then there's little ol' me. I am NOT a beauty unless I get my sleep so I am Shanora.









I can't wait to tell you guys all about our trip. It is sure to be an adventure!

MOMS

Today I am blogging about MOMS at Bellevue. I started attending MOMS back when Sullivan (now 7) was just a baby. At that time, I just needed some mommy time away from my precious bundle of joy and MOMS did that. But, once I started, I understood why so many mommas were there. It wasn't just for the childcare but for the uplifting message Jean would deliver every week. Because she writes studies that I personally need to hear, I have enjoyed participating in these studies. Unfortunately, I find myself falling WAY behind getting in the word when I'm not actively doing a bible study so these studies keep me doing what I need to be doing.

During the small group time, I have been encouraged as a momma and prayed over. Since I started MOMS, I've lost both parents, had another child and my oldest had brain surgery. During those moments, I've felt the love and support from the other moms in my small group. Every week I was amazed and uplifted by Jean's message. Many times I found myself in tears like she was specifically speaking to me. Stop getting angry with my kids, enjoy the moments with my kiddos because my time with them is short, pray over my family and prepare my mind and heart to teach my babies. I know that being a part of the MOMS bible study has made me a better momma, a better wife and a better Christian. Here is a link to Jean Stockdale's blog where you can find more information on the MOMS bible study: http://jeanstockdale.typepad.com/

First Days of School.....

Sorry, the craziness of the beginning of the school year has hit and well, the blog is pretty low on the totem pole! Dalton and Sullivan had a great first week of school. They both had positive things to say about their class and teachers.

Dalton's first week met him with the same 4th grade teacher as last year (thank goodness) but a different resource teacher and different personal assistant. All the teachers were so complimentary of how well he was doing but I warned, there can sometimes be a "honeymoon" period. Just this week I found out his personal assistant will be changing. I hope this turns out to be a good thing but he doesn't do well with change. Here's praying that this will be a positive change for him. Unfortunately, the honeymoon period seems to have worn off as today I did receive a phone call from the resource teacher stating he was hitting her. I spoke to him on the phone and upset him quite a bit but I really want to nip this behavior before it escalates to what it was last year.

Sullivan seems to really be enjoying AES. He names several "new best friends" on a weekly basis and speaks highly of his teacher. He has even gotten in trouble for talking in the hallway. (for him a good/bad problem to have.) After some complaints at church that he couldn't see, we took him to the eye doctor. Sullivan is now sporting some glasses and he looks mighty handsome!




Channing had her first day of MDO this week. Of course she loves being at school and can't wait til her next day of school. She's definitely my social bug and loves to be around other kids. I am still not sure what to do with myself on the days where they all are in school.

School starts tomorrow.

Yes, summer has flown by. We really didn't get much accomplished this summer. We had hoped to go on vacation somewhere. Didn't happen. We had hoped to visit Grandma and Grandpa, didn't happen. (Good thing they visited us.) We only made it to the lake 1 time! Our summer was pretty much filled with a mad rush to get the house ready to go on the market. And we're still working on it every free moment we have. This selling your house stuff takes a lot, huh?

Well, now summer break is over and school starts tomorrow! The boys got registered Tuesday and Sullivan decided he was ready for school to start that day. He's quite excited to start Arlington Elementary. I wonder how excited he'll be once school actually starts?

We went for special education orientation on Friday so Dalton could get oriented to the school and his new classroom. We took this as an opportunity to get Sullivan oriented as well. Sullivan and Dalton were giddy going through the halls. How did I manage to have 2 excited about school?

The orientation wasn't completely stress free. Once we made it to Dalton's classroom, we found out his personal assistant decided not to return this year so, another personal assistant. Wow, I felt like someone had just punched me in the stomach. I had been looking forward to this school year with last year's assistant. I'll be doing a lot of praying that the new assistant and Dalton are a good fit. That will be very important for us to have a good year.

I also got a surprise when I saw Sullivan's teacher. It was not someone I had discussed with the administration and was quite surprised to see her matched up with Sullivan. I'm sure they know who is the best match for Sullivan. I just pray her teaching style is complimentary to Sullivan's learning style. He was so excited when he met her and saw where his desk was going to be. His classroom is going to be right across the hall from Dalton's spec. ed. classroom. I'm sure they'll be seeing a lot of each other.

I hope this first week goes well. I'll let you know!

Anniversary Mani / Pedi

I'm not going to agree to the idea that I'm difficult or difficult to please but.....

For our 11 year anniversary, Craig planned for us to go to Gould's and while he was getting a massage, I was to get a manicure and pedicure. If you can remember, I was already a little uneasy about the prospect of the pedicure because of my last Gould's incident. Need a refresher?

Craig and I back earlier this year, went to Gould's at the Peabody. While Craig was getting a massage I was to get a manicure and pedicure. The nail tech started with the pedicure and as I stepped up on that first step to climb up on the bench, my foot busted through the floor. Yep. I was mortified, embarrassed, etc... and haven't had a pedicure since. So, I was a little less than ecstatic about another chance at disaster, but Craig planned this nice little outing so I was trying to stay optimistic.

Craig had planned this latest manicure and pedicure to coincide with the time of his massage. Mine was supposed to last 1 hour 30 minutes...the same as his massage. He went back first. I was a little disappointed in the manicure as I remembered in the past getting a nice little hand massage during the mani...but I didn't get one. That's ok I told myself, I still get a pedicure and hopefully a foot rub, right. Craig said this pedicure was supposed to be something special (which means he paid extra). So, I looked forward to this part of the evening. Well, this fell a little short too.

During the pedicure, I approached that first step cautiously. I didn't want a repeat of my previous experience. As I climbed up that first step, I had to maneuver awkwardly around bleach and other cleaning supplies. I got into position and started soaking my feet. The entire pedicure I got to hear my nail tech discuss the dating life of another (off duty) 52 year old nail tech. I thought, wonderful! (filled with sarcasm). Anyways, the pedicure fell short of anything pleasant. Instead, I curled my toes as the nail tech rubbed some exfoliating scrub on my legs and feet and sanded the bottoms of my feet smooth (raw). Massage next,right? Nope, just more soaking. Right before she painted my nails, she filled the wash basin with bleach and cleaning supplies and then painted my toes while my legs were above the basin. Of course, the whole time I was worried she was going to get bleach on my super cute khaki capris I had worn. The fumes were lovely too. Then, on top of all that, the mani/pedi ended 20 minutes earlier than published and I got to wait in the empty waiting area (we closed the place down) for Craig to finish his massage.

I'm thinking I'm done with Gould's manicures and pedicures. Not worth the stress. Anyone got a suggestion of another place to try?

fun at Pickwick

Yesterday we had a blast at Pickwick...getting a little bit of Seadoo time in before the rain. We drove up and met some of our Sunday School class for some boating, tubing and Seadooing. Before it rained, Craig was chauffeuring everyone around on the Seadoo. If weather would have permitted, we had planned on inflating our tube but the storms rolled in before we could. Sullivan got to ride a single person tube all by himself. He was seen grinning from ear to ear and held on tight. He was proud that he never got dumped off the tube. Dalton and Channing enjoyed riding the Seadoo and jumping waves with dad. Squeals of delight were heard from across the lake! Unfortunately, we've found the wave jumping may be a little much for Dalton to take. On our way home, Dalton complained of a bad headache....which was helped with Advil. Then again today on the way to church, the headache was back. We are going to take it a little easier next time on the lake!

No house showings this weekend :( but we do have someone considering our house. We are one of two the family has narrowed down and we are praying that this could be the family for our little house. It's hard keeping the house in order with the kids going behind me doing their best to destroy. Plus, if you know me I love my stuff...and I miss my stuff. I can't find anything in this cleaned chaos!

Fun and Work

Sorry it's been so long for a post. Believe me, having the house on the market is a big chore. It seems that pretty much every free moment, I am cleaning the house just in case we get to show the house...just in case. Of course, when we do get that call to show the house, I run around like a mad man trying to get everything just right.

I wonder if that last minute cleaning really makes a difference? Who knows but I guess I don't want cleanliness to be the stumbling block for someone wanting to buy this house. Of course, we live in this house so it's not perfect. It's pretty good though. I bet I'll let more and more things slip as time goes on while we're still on the market. I'm just praying for that perfect family to come along to love this house.

Last weekend we did get some fun in. We attended an Alpha Chi cookout with friends. Channing became instant friends with my sorority sister's little girl. They became inseparable. You would have thought they were long lost pals. You could find them swimming together, jumping on the trampoline together, eating together and see-sawing together. It was quite funny!




Sullivan pretty much kept to himself while in the pool but could be found helping sister out on the see-saw or jumping with them on the trampoline.



Dalton loved playing with one of my sorority sister's twins. Dalton is so good with little kids. He had them laughing hysterically.


Grandma and Grandpa were also here for the weekend. They were lots of help gettting the house ready for our first showing. In their spare time, Grandpa showed Channing and Sullivan how to climb the tree in the front yard.






Unfortunately, now it's time to get back to cleaning the house. We've only shown the house 3Xs and we have another one tomorrow. Maybe tomorrow....