Finding perfection in the imperfection

The past few days; even weeks seem to all have molded into a perpetual day.  Not that I'm full on the calendar, but this sense of unrest; a dog chasing their own tail.  I'm a believer in "to-do" list, written budgets & meal planning, but lately just finding the time to sit and write anything is truly an act of congress.  My days were ending with that dull feeling of not really completing a task ... just a feeling of failed accomplishment.  But, then I saw my sweet girls enjoying the early morning sun and it completely refreshed my thoughts.

I knew then that even when life feels blemished and flawed, that really its exactly how its suppose to be.  

Beautifully flawed in the most perfect of imperfect ways.

I find that I routinely follow this cycle.  I will knock out major task; clean out an abandoned closet & sweep the cob-webs out of the garage, but even when I've burned the "to-do" list a few days later I'm stuck again...and again.

So, I'm committed to breaking this cycle.  Teaching my selfish butt just how gracious this life has been to me.

  

Everyday since this I've made it a point to sit & quiet my racing mind.  Put some reins on this perfectionist drive & enjoy the ride, take deeper breaths & soak in the view.

I miss my weekly yoga classes for this very reason.  It gave me a guaranteed hour of peaceful reflection with physical reinforcement.  I ache to get back in the studio, but this shouldn't stop me from implementing home practice...let me add it to my to-do list:)

Love,

Shannon 

 

Got Milk?

It was a slow start to our Saturday, but in many respects thats the perfect way to tip-toe into your weekend, right?

I came across the documentary, "Food, Inc" {which if you haven't seen..you must}.  And even though over the past year I've been becoming increasingly aware of just how conventional farming has lost all conviction. To watch it can be heart wrenching, even when you already know.  We can debate GMOs, organic vs conventional & so forth, but the topic that I feel no one has the true right to argue is, animal rights {especially in the farming community}.  We share this planet and like us all creatures deserve to be treated with dignity.  Dignity in life as well in death.  Honestly it breaks my heart to see just how heartless our industrial farming has become.  Ok,ok I'll hush.

This journal wasn't suppose to be about animal rights, but in many ways it stirred the need to go & visit a local farm and love on some happy critters.

While we visited calves, goats & horses we went ahead & picked up a gallon of raw milk, 1/2 gallon of chocolate milk {Peyton's fave} & a dozen of free range eggs.

 

Peyton spent the night {along with her cousins} at Nana & Papa's house and Lee was spending the weekend at his father's, so it was just 3 of us, Dad, Piper & myself.

Piper loves feeding the baby goats & nahing with the horses.  All three kids have this love for animals that almost comes instinctual for them.  You know as parents we pray over our children constantly, let them find peace & self acceptance,  have a compassionate heart, see beauty even when faced with adversity.  You know what I mean, and then God allows us to see the fruits of those prayers & truly, it makes your soul smile.  I hope they always carry compassion close within them.

We wrapped up our impromptu dairy visit & headed home with happy hearts & some great goodies.  Piper took a afternoon snooze, I cleaned up a bit & Wes was able to veg out..pretty perfect.

Love,

Shannon

 

Breathing life...

into this deserted blog..lol Its been just over a year since my last entry and I really feel a calling to revive this little corner of the web. Life has definitely been "happening" around here. Kids are growing, spreading wings & some are getting their feet wet in the early phase of young adulthood.

Peyton soared through Kindergarten this year & will begin her journey into her elementary years in 2013-2014. She really has bloomed in this past year & I am so happy we chose to delay her entry into the public school system {she's a early September baby}. In the past year she has matured and I really feel she can now adequately handle the challenges that will come {not all being bad either}.

The 2nd man in my life, Lee is entering high school for the 2013-2014 & this has me in a state of complete denial. Not only that Lee is 15 years old, but that I'm 34!! What?! I'm now in the "older mom" group. Its ironic in many ways. I started off as the youngest mom at PTO meetings, cub scouts & athletics ... and now here I am 34 years & having Piper {just turned 2 years old on June 13th} I find that I'm in the "older" crowd. How strange it is my friends. Wes is still working .. working & well working more. We've been blessed any many ways, but with these blessings sacrifices have been made as well. I just continue to be so thankful to have the ability to be home with my children. I can truly say without any hesitation I do not miss working. I know many stay-at-home-mom struggle with the limited "adult" conversation, but honestly I stay so busy & involved that I feel that that need is met, in friendships & in family. My sister & her little family has finally made the final trip back to Texas & this time they are staying. My brother-in-law does have one more deployment commitment with the Marines, but they chose to move Sabrina and the kiddos back home prior to him deploying. Its great having my baby sis home & being able to see my niece & nephew is incredible. A lot has change since that entry to this little blog...I've started running, going to gym, practicing yoga & making many small lifestyle changes. But, more importantly to mention is that I'm loving ever step of it! I hope to become better at vlogging & blogging about this whole journey & super excited to share it with anyone willing to listen..or read. Well, I have the cutest little two year old tugging at my toes so I better head off to get our night on the way. Hope this finds everyone well, happy & safe. Love, Shannon

I'm kind of obsessed with Instagram, so if you are too I'm @Shannonllh

Welcome Home Parade

Oh, its been a very busy week & to say we're exhausted is truly an understatement, but its a good exhaustion {if that even exsists}.
This past Saturday, 4/7/12 Wes participated in the City of Houston's, "Welcome Home Veterans of the Iraq War" parade. Its was an awesome experience; not only for Wes but for Peyton as well. We invited Wes's brother, Brian and his wife, Melissa with their two boys; Jacob & Jackson to come share in the fun..and it turns out not only was it great to share in the fun, but they also helped me out TONS!

First off Wes {stressed about being late} had us there, parked & ready about 2 hours prior to the march even beginning..lol.

It was okay simply because I'd rather be the early birds than the laters. So, we're there & ready to get this party started. The kids were pumped, but unfortunately Jackson {5yro} was feeling a little crummy {eventually started running a fever;thank goodness Melissa had packed tylenol}. One of the awesome treats the Houston Astros {baseball} gave the participating Soldiers were tickets to that evenings game against the Colorado Rockies. It was a double +..parade, then a baseball game..now thats an awesome Saturday.

Before Wes headed off for formation to prepare for the march he handed out all of our tickets. And I had put Peyton & I's in my back pocket of my jeans {scared to stash them in my over stuffed diaper bag}. Me & the crew headed towards Minute Maid Park's entrance at Crawford {the troops would actually march directly into the park}. I sat Piper down & was getting things together to let her have some lunch & I happen to check my pocket and low & behold..tickets were GONE!

I of course stripped the diaper bag inside out, double checked pockets..looked around our immediate area..still no tickets!

Sister-in-law even double checked me just to be sure I wasn't missing anything...no tickets.
Of course I call Wes & tell him. His response.."oh, Shannon..here let me call you back".
It was kind of a damper on a great day, but what was done was done. I couldn't change it.
Few minutes later its was Wes saying he got 2 more tickets, but he was in formation for the march & I needed to head back to him.
And this is where Melissa saved my life..or least my afternoon.
Rather than me having to pack up kids, and head back up 6 blocks she went and got our tickets.
The parade was great & then we lined up to enter Minute Maid Park for the game.

They did an awesome job! A disabled vet was given a home {mortgage free}. Which was awesome to watch & we even got to see Maj. Gen. Wells throw the 1st pitch of the game.

All in all it was a day of great memories & we hope the parade continues in the future. Even if Wes doesn't participate every year we will definitely share it with the kids.

Oh, hello again...

So, its been just about a month since I had popped in for a blog post, so I figured it was about time to update on a few things. Piper is a very active {almost} 10 month baby girl. Doing absolutely fantastic. Let the real adventures in parenting begin. Shes pushing her little walker along, crawling, climbing and tasting everything along her way. Easter is just around the corner & I really look forward to this holiday with the little ones. Lees' a bit old {14} to really get all gitty about a mysterious bunny sneaking into our living room and leaving a basket full of goodies, but hes definitely a good sport about it all & allows Peyton {and soon Piper} get the full experience.

We of course took our annual bluebonnet photos with the kids & it was gorgeous March morning. Every year I'm just so amazed at just how beautiful they are when they bloom along with the indian paint brushes. Just love Spring in our little town.

I don't have all of Piper's stats as of yet, but she will be going in for her 9 month "well baby" check {yep, at 10 months old} & I'll know more about length, weight & so on.
Our bathroom project is definitely a novel in the making. Its taking 4-EVA! I absolutely hate this, but honestly this past month has been a month of many plans, milestones and so on.
Wes opened up a 2nd location for his business so of course this is back to the 6 days a week from daylight till dark hours. So, this leaves me here to carry much of the home duties and of course that includes the bathroom. Much of the work that is needed are things that require uninturrupted time, but as we all can guess having a 14yro. {whose here, there & everywhere} a 5 year old {who wants to be here, there & everywhere} and a 10 months who is here, there & everywhere ALL THE TIME. This venture has been dragged out. But, my lovely father-in-law has been helping us tackle some of it & we are SOOOO grateful for his help {like, I don't think this would ever get accomplished without him..grateful}.

Apparently our camera now wants to make watermarks on all of our photos...awesome. But, as you can see the nook where the tub will be has been tiled & painted. We love it & it has turned out better than we pictured in our minds.

The old light fixtures {dated, dome light was here} have been replaced.

We had a horrible floral ceramic fixture above the vanity & as you can see that has also been replaced. Once all said & done we plan to also frame the mirror itself as well.

All the exterior cabinets & walls have been painted. Next is actually painting drawers & cabinet doors.

And after all projects are painted and reinstalled we have to peel the lenolium & strip,clean and then stain the concrete {sooo, not looking forward to that task, but I know it will tie the whole space together}. I've avoided purchasing towel wracks, decorations and so on till the entire room is complete. I really want to see the whole picture before filling the space.
Now, as for me...I'm just a woman in too many places at any given moment. Life has been very busy lately. Brother in law resently had a wedding, so we had bridal showers and so on {so worth it, love weddings}. Had birthday parties for friend's kiddos & including Lee turned 14 on the 30th of March! Can you believe that?! 14!! Its amazing..seriously..

This young man is just amazing to say the least. Being his mother has been such an honor & I look forward to what his future has to hold for him.

That day 14 years ago I felt like the world stood absolutely still just for the birth of this beautiful child. Outside of that hospital room the world could have been unraveling, but at 12:43pm that Monday in March my entire world was in that one single room. I love you, Lee. And I'm so grateful that I get to be your mom. Reach for the stars & enjoy the ride.

I hope to get back in the swing of things and keep on a better track record with keeping y'all {and myself} updated :) Hope this finds you all well!

Remembering Layla

2 years ago today Layla Grace Marsh went to heaven after a valiant fight against Neuroblastoma stage IV. Please consider a contribution to the Layla Grace Childhood Cancer Research Foundation in her honor.

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Let there be light

Really just wanted to come on & update on the progress with the bathroom. Its slowing down, but I'll settle for one "to do" comepleted per week. We're just about ready to paint the cabinets, but the prep is just dragging tail. Especially with Wes only being home once a week to help. My accomplishments are achieved in baby steps..literally. 10 minutes here; 10 minutes there, but I'm not being greedy. I look at it as if I am able to put in a solid 30 minutes into the room each day, well..thats a success. Piper has just been super clingy the past few weeks.

on a "family" note. Piper is mobile! Now, granted she hasn't mastered the beautiful "all 4s" crawl just yet, it looks more like an ape crawl..lol. And when all else fails she drags her body in the typical "army crawl" fashion:) Either way..its awesome watching her little mind put things together. But, with crawling comes frustrations. When she just can't seem to get her body to cooperate with her mind, she has found a yell that strikes the pit of your stomach. So, theres a lot of me saying, "now,now girlfriend..we don't need to yell like that". She looks at me as if she really wants to say, "yeah, right..whatever {ahhhhhh}".

Now, back to the bathroom. We purchased the light fixtures from Lowes yesterday. This was a tad-bit more difficult that I honestly expected. It can be overwhelming..seriously. Do you want feminine, scrolls, bars, basics, hidden and the lists goes on & on. I really didn't want to go very feminine since the color scheme is more "womanly". So, heres what we chose...

I promise that just as soon as we make some head way in the room I'll share some pictures. Its just been at a stand still for a while, but hopefully we'll make some more progress this Sunday {Superbowl...hmm, probably not..lol}