Saturday, April 23, 2011

Counting down till lent is OVER

I'm in count down....
49 mins till Lent is over.

Facebook, HERE I COME !!

Oh, and Happy Easter YO!

Friday, April 22, 2011

LENT- coming to an end.

WHOOP WHOOP,
Only 1 more day to go till I can get on FACEBOOK !!
I'm so excited, and so proud of myself. I can't wait to get back online and re-connect with all my friends. It's been a long Lent.

We are very excited about Easter and we even made our own Easter Baskets with string and sugar water. They really turned out neat so far and we haven't even put the finishing touches on it. Katey is participating in the Easter service, and has learned so much in confirmation class. I'm really proud of how involved she is getting in our church, and in our youth group. They really are a great bunch of kids and she has made so many new friends.

We are in count down mode for the end of school. Katey Graduates 8th grade on May 26th and we are having a party for her on May 28th. I can't believe my baby girl is gonna be a freshman. She just needs to stop growing.

Oh, Ellie came for a visit with her kids and we had a GREAT time. The kids got a long so well, and miss each other so much. I'm so glad Ellie's kids got to meet Nannie and Pop-pop and will have good memories of them, and of hanging out with their cousins. I hope when they get older they will be close like we are with Ellie. Ashlyn informed us that she had the most fun, more than any of us, with her cousins, and that she misses her cousins more than any of us miss them. She's so sweet.

I am getting over a very nasty "bug". My doctor thinks it was pneumonia aggravated by asthma, but I really think it's whooping cough. It was terribly bad, and I probably should have been in the hospital. They had to change my antibiotic because I kept getting worse and ended up in bed for 4 days straight. Luckily I am starting to get better, but this cough is still terrible.

Ok, hurry up Easter morning, I got me some facebookin to do.
Night,
Shel

Sunday, April 10, 2011

hard service

We are back from the cruise, and the wedding was fantastic. The cruise was amazing, and we are sad we have to be back. Why can't vacation last forever? Ellie flew in from San Diego and we even went home this weekend to visit Nannie and Pops with all the kids. HAD A BLAST. We hurried home so Katey could make confirmation class and youth service.

Tonight's service was difficult to say the least.
It was about Jesus dying on the cross and Pilates wife told him not to mess with that innocent man for she had had a dream about him. Well we were questioned had we ever stepped up and questioned something and spoken up even though nobody else was. He asked if we heard recently about a violent death, or some one being mistreated at school. Immediately Katey and I think of Adrianne.

He went on to ask some very hard questions.
Was there something you could have done? Something you could have said? Could you have done something that could have prevented this? The questions went on and on. Each one questions and guilt that I have asked myself many many times. Katey bowed her head and cried, and I walked out. I got control and came back in, but it was very hard.

When it was over and everyone walked out, we said in the pews and Katey and I just cried. We miss you Adrianne Leigh.

Shel

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Wedding and cruise

I can't wait, we leave in 3 days for Miami, for Jenny's wedding and the cruise. I can't wait. Lucky for us, we have a great youth group we are a part of, and we got friends house sitting and dog sitting while we are gone. Yup, we are lucky.

Last night, we had a bon fire and Katey had a bunch of kids from the youth group come over. It was a great time. They loved the zip line, and its nice that Katey has such a great group of kids to hang out with.

So, for the cruise I am in my last stages of packing and cleaning the house.
Hopefully after gettting everything packed tonight, I will be able to sleep. I can't sleep because I have way to much on my mind. Do I have this packed, did I have enough of these, I need to find these, oh don't forget the...... I just need to pack it, load it, and forget about it.

And Lent needs to get over so I can get back on FB, I miss seeing whats up with everyone, but this is DEF. worth it.

Shel

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Happy St. Patty's Day

Everyone dressed in green and off to school, I am off to meet my friends for some breakfast.
Got my hair dyed last night for the cruise, and trimmed up. Just a few last min. things, get the house finished and we are good to go.

Plans for today include:
Breakfast with the girls, dog to the vet for shots, locate a boarding kennel for Kody, find crocs and shoes for everyone, start packing.

Have a great green-filled day.
Shel

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Ides of March


Today is March 15th.

Beware the Ides of March !!

March 15th - still Lent

Well giving up facebook has gotten easier. I still have a desire to get on and see what everyone is up to, and I feel like I am missing out on all the hip hop happenin stuff. BUT, I have less and less the over powering urge to look. I no longer have to convince myself that I dont need to just check it out real quick. I have been keeping busy because its when I'm not busy that I have the most desire to get on.

We leave for the cruise in 8 days. I can't believe it. I can't wait to see Jen get married, and then to board the beautiful ship for a whole week. Cruises are my FAVORITE !! plus I get chris and the kids all to myself for a whole week. No school, no work, just family.

My cousin Ellen and her 3 kids fly in the tuesday after we get back. The kids have not seen nannie and Pops since they were just toddlers. I'm really glad they are old enough that they will have some memories of them. We are going to celebrate the twins birthday's while they are here, they have never had a birthday with cousins before. And we are also going to celebrate Easter as a family with Cassie and her kids, Ellie and hers, us and ours, Mom and dad, Nannie and Pops. I'm so very excited about it. Pops loves when we would come visit for Easter, he loves seeing them all dressed up and having an Easter Egg Hunt. I look forward to them celebrating a holiday surrounded my Great Grand Children and 3 grand daughters.

Well off to take care of Ash. She's a bit emotional this morning, coughing like mad, and a slight temp. So no school. She needs to get well for the cruise.

Shel

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Day 5- Lent

This weekend has been pretty easy, however we have been VERY busy. Keeps your mind off of getting on Facebook. I thought I lost my cell phone yesterday at Kohls. We went and tried on dresses for the cruise, which by the way we leave in 10 days. I can't believe it. The girls and I now have plenty of dresses for the cruise. Well i thought I dropped my cell phone at Kohls, but ends up I left it next to my bed. Spent all day trying to track it down.

Last night, Katey got invited to a party at a friend from her youth groups house. Luckily I got to know these kids last weekend at the retreat, otherwise it would have been hard for me to allow her to go to a party with High School kids. It was the first night she went out and had plans till curfew. My baby is growin up. But luckily she has a good group of kids to hang out with. They even wanted me to stay and hang out with them because I am sooo cool! Made me feel good, but it was Katey's thing. We did talk to them about maybe going camping and Geo-caching this summer, and they are all for it. I am so glad I got involved with these kids. Gonna be a great summer.

Today Bran's hanging with his friend Dez, and Me, Chris, and Katey are watching Friday.. yeah, such a great show to watch with your teenager, but its funny, and it lets her see how stupid they act. Great for conversations.

Alrighty, I'm out.
Shel

Friday, March 11, 2011

Day 3 - Lent

Today is not so bad, and luckily its Friday so that means we will be really busy all weekend. I dont see a problem at all with days 4 and 5. Last night we had wildside youth group at our church. and they all loved the G-Scape video I made. I'm glad everyone had such a great time.

Now to go work on the house before chrispy gets home.
Shel

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Lent day 2

Today has started off better than yesterday. I have taken my little one to school, she usually rides the bus, and I went to the grocery store. So I've been busy. Came home but the groceries away, picked up so the cable guy can stop by, and then I sat down to the computer. Oh yes, I wanted to facebook, but I didnt. Check my email, glance at the news, blog, and now to do some laundry or something to get FB off my mind.

S.H.I.T. (so happy it's thurs.)

Shel

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Day one Lent.. in review

Wow,
I've blogged 3x's today. Today's been tough. I'm sure it will get easier.
I feel so disconnected, so far away from everyone. It worth it though.

We went to Lent program and dinner for the kids. They did a craft and I helped keep some of the other small children entertained. Pastor Sarah has 2 beautiful little girls.. 1st and 2nd grade. They played well with Ashlyn. Then we went up and ate soup and bread. I met a few parents of the kids we went on the retreat with. All the kids that came to service tonight all sat together, with us. It's just so great that they have all taken so well to me. Def. my calling, def. where I am suppose to be. Ashlyn was very nervous this morning when I told her about the Ashes, but I explained what it means and she was very VERY excited to accept the ashes. She kept asking.. "now mama? now mama?" She was so proud to walk up and get her mark. Now we are home, gonna eat some pizza and go to bed.

I got thru day 1, what will day 2 bring?
Shel

UGH - Day one Lent

Why is this so hard? Seriously, its just facebook. When did Facebook take up so much of my time and thoughts? I have withdrawal type feelings.. just not right. I have wanted to get on and look at least 20x's today. It's everything I can do to convince myself that its not suppose to be easy, thats why its called a sacrifice, but FACEBOOK? I really didn't think it would be that hard, this hard. But I am convinced more than ever that I am def. addicted to facebook. Praying that God helps me get over this, and thru this.. And there we have it... Praying in the middle of the day puts me closer to God, GOAL ACHIEVED! Now lets keep it up for another 39 days.

Tonight we have kid's Lent program at 6, then Lent service at 7.
Looking forward to the distraction and the reminder... Why am I doing this?

Shel

Lent - day 1

I have decided to give up Facebook for Lent.
Your supose to sacrifice something that is important to you, and that takes you away from God. Well, I feel I spend entirely too much time on Facebook. It def. takes my time away from housework, and playing games with the kids.. heck, I even facebook while I am watching tv, not fully giving my attention to even the show we are watching. It def. takes away from a lot of things not to mention time I could have with God. So far, day one, and I already want to log on and see what everyone is up to. This will be a challenge, but I will be very happy when I accomplish this task. So.. I'll let you know how it goes.
Shel

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Noah's Jump Rope for Heart

We have another great friend who is doing Jump Rope for Heart.
He is close to making his goal.. Can you help?

These kids are doing such a good job for Hearts. It's such a great cause.
Noah had a great time doing this last year too.

Check out Noah's homepage to help out.

Shel

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Jump Rope for Heart

UPDATE :
Emily met her original goal and had raised her goal to $1000.
Lets help her meet this goal

***********************************************


A friend of our's daughter Emily is doing Jump Rope for Heart in honor of her brother Kevin Kruse who died in 2008 from congenital heart disease. She has already met her goal, but lets see how much above and beyond we can go to help fight heart disease.
This family is so close and dear to my heart.
Please will you help?


Check out Emily's head quarters and donate what ever you can.

Thanks,
Shel

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

New Lenox Wildcats Seniors



New Lenox, Seniors the best by far
this is the big show, and we are the stars
The name on our vests shows who (clap clap) we are.
Our mission is clear and we plan to uphold
A tradition of champions who will always wear gold
We are everything you're not
You know you want it you want what we've got
Go wildcats!

Senior Wildcats, We're number one
We know exactly how to get the job done
We are comin back for more
2011 we dominate this floor
There is nothing that we cant do
See it, believe it
We speak the truth
NEW LENOX!

*******************************************

Once again Kathryn and her team kicked butt at competition. It was very exciting this session because Kathryn's best friend Ali joined. I am so proud to see my Tom Boy Pirate enjoying being a cheerleader. She has really become so well rounded this last year. Way to Go Kathryn, Ali, and all the rest of the Wildcats! Looking forward to another session.

NEW LENOX WILDCATS JV !!



We are the wildcats were Gold, Black and White
You know why were here,
and you know were DYNAMITE.
Wildcats are on the prowl,
were ready to attack,

New Lenox will dominate
SO JUST STEP BACK !!

We're fired up
We're sizzlin
We're turnin up the heat.
New Lenox JV
We can't be beat

We're too hot to handle,
Just wait and see
Everybody knows the winner will be
New lenox JV !!


***************************************

Congrats to Ashlyn and her team for winning 2nd place at their competition. I was so proud to watch Ashlyn in her very first sport, her very first competition. It amazes me daily how far she has come, and I am so very proud of her and the entire team. Way to bring it girls.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Holy Snow Balls








Well once again we were under a winter storm warning, and blizzard warning. Chris keeps getting depressed because he wants all the snow they keep preparing us to get, but ever single time the storm hits just above, or just below us, giving us just a dusting. Well, not this time. We were a direct hit to the bulls eye. We got at least 20 inches of the powdery stuff, and the winds were incredible. It was a total white out blizzard. Chris and the kids were soooooo excited. School let out early on Tues, no school Wed, and then we got the call Wed. afternoon. NO SCHOOL THURS. That's just unheard of. No school 2 days in a row??!!

The roads are pretty much clear, at least one lane in each direction. But a lot of people's driveways and alley's and streets have not even been touched by a plow yet. As of yesteday afternoon, there were still cars stranded on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. Some people were stranded for 10 hrs, and now they are trying to get the cars towed so they can plow and re-open the streets. Its just plain crazy up here.

THEN to add to all the chaos, an artic blast has blown thru here dropping temps and wind chills to -40 degrees. What the heck?! I think Mother Nature had herself a party and passed out!

I hope you enjoyed the pics.
Shel

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Snowmagedon 2011

Well, Snowmagedon is just about to hit and hit hard.
Everyone is freaking out. I'm not. We have food, we have drinks, and we have wood. The fireplace is stocked and ready to go. School's getting out early, and probably no school tomorrow.
BRING IT !!
I'm looking forward to a nice day home with the family.


Shel

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Holy migraine

Well I was surprised by a phone call Tues. morning from Chris's cousin Danielle's friend Kelly, who Katey babysits little Charlie for. She was upset with her daycare center Charlie goes to and wanted to know if I would like to start watching him. HECK YEAH ! He's the sweetest little guy, its in town, and Ash doesnt have to change busses or anything. It works out perfectly. They drop him off in the morning. I get all the kids off to school. Charlie and I play for a few hours, then when Ash gets home from school at 11:45, we head to his house, have lunch, and he can nap in his own bed. Then Ash plays or watching tv while I catch up on my book. (House of Night series, AWESOME) This is a win win for everyone.... and I am totally spoiled because.. have I said HE'S THE SWEETEST LITTLE GUY EVER !!

The girls cheerleading comp. is coming up Feb. 5th!! CANT WAIT !! This is Ashlyn's first "class". She has totally LOVED being a cheerleader, just like her sissy Kathryn. Ash's class is dancing to Dynamite, and Kathryn's is dancing to Apple bottom jeans (?) This is gonna be FUN. Cassie and the kids are coming for the weekend, and Aunt Jenny might make it up for the day with Emma. I cant wait.

This weekend we are going with a bunch of friends to Medievil times, to celebrate Brandon's birthday, and 2 of our friends little girls birthday's. Gonna be a great time.

Well I have a migraine that is kicking my butt,
I'm off to bed.
Night all,
Shel

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

this' and that'

The pool tourney was great fun, as usual. Kev. Jr had a very impressive come back after being shaken up the last 2 years. He won on an 8 ball break. Very awesome. The kids had a great time, and Brandon played a few games (not in the tourney), and now he wants to buy a pool table. I helped Ashlyn play one game and she enjoyed it as well. Great Job to all at the Wah-Fop-Toe.

The girls are both in competition cheer leading and very much enjoying it. Their competition for this session is Feb. 5th. They have been working hard and are very excited about it. Kathryn's team usually wins 1st place, so lets see if they can pull it off again this year. This will be Ashlyn's first competition. Carol and Jimbo, Grammie and Papa, even Aunt Cassie and the kids are all coming up to watch them compete. Should be a great day. I'll post pics soon.

Not much is up with Chris, still at Orbitz. I was babysitting for a family and due to issues I had to quit. Looking for another job. I have gotten involved with the youth group at our church. I now am a youth leader, but I dont lead anything. I help out on Thursday nights for the "Wildside" fun and games and then we end with "Time for Jesus" discussion and prayer. Then on Sunday nights we have our Youth Ministry. We have our own service, then we go downstairs and have discussion time. Kathryn and I really are enjoying this time. I have also signed up for the Retreat in March, and they want me to go on the Mission Trip in July.

Not much else is happening right now, just frozen with this darn weather. Can't wait to be sittin on a beach the end of March on our cruise.

Shel

Friday, January 14, 2011

Wassell Family Pool Tourney

Yes folks... its that time of year again.
The good ole Wassell Family Pool Tourney.

For those who don't know, every year we get together with the adults (16 and older) in Chris' VERY LARGE family and we have a double elimination no holds barred pool tourney. There is a flow chart thingy, a tourney director, and even a plaque with last years winner proudly displayed for everyone to see.

This has been going on longer than the 15 yrs I have been with Chris. It started in the basement of Uncle Wes and Aunt Mabes house, and has quickly grown too large, and has now been moved to an actual pool hall. We reserve 5 tables and it usually lasts about 8 hrs. With lots of snack, drinking and a whole lot of shit talking. It is looked forward to almost more than Christmas.

For the weeks prior to the pool tourney, the shit talking and shenanigans start via Email, and now facebook, and in prior year has even involved yard signs. During the tourney there are often other side jabs and gag games, usually put on by the tourney directors evil diminions Tara Gene, and Jeni, and Candice. I have witnessed a subsititue pod 6 competition, a history board of famous tourney directors thru the years, even a scientific twin challenge (my favorite). This tourney even has a directors chair and septor. I do have to say, even though I choose not to play, this is one tourney I do NOT want to miss.

In years past the tourney has been dominated by Kevin Sr, and Kevin Jr. But their rein of terror is OVER. 2 yrs ago they were shaken in their boots when Jarad whooped their asses, and last years big upset was Wendy and Tim in the finals. I am already biting my nails with anticipation on who will kick who's ass this year.

Now, if Sunday could hurry up and get here.. oh and GO BEARS!!
Shel

Mid Jan.

How do I go so long without updating?
I guess I am just not as funny or quirky as others.
My life is boring.

Lucky for me, I set up my friend Doyle with a blog, she is funny shit, let me tell you.
I want to remake some of her goofy story's, and if she'd send this stuff to SNL she'd be loaded.

Anyway, life is going good.
I'll try to update more.
Shel

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Christmas break coming to an end.

Today marks Chris' last day on Christmas break.
Tomorrow is mine.
Tuesday is the kids.

We have had a fantastic break. Kathryn had to be part of the 5pm Christmas eve service at our church for her confirmation class. Then we hit the road to travel to the QC for Christmas since a storm was a comin. We made it just in time for the 11pm candle light service at Carol's church. It was beautiful, and with a quick call to Jen, Carol had all of us there for service with her. Then we rushed home to get kids in PJ's, read the night before Christmas, and put out cookies and milk. Getting the kids to bed at about 1am WOW!

Christmas morning I was woke up at 8:15am and the kids had opened their stockings. We waited for Carol and Jim to come up and started opening gifts. Everyone got everything they always wanted of course. The kids recieved air soft guns which Jim and Chris and the kids quickly started shooting, in the living room, at targets and each other.

Lunch was at Wendy's and we had a fabulous time with family.
Dinner was at my mom and dad's, and it was a true blessing to spend Christmas with Nannie and Pop pop this year. Pop's even came out to the living room 3x's on Christmas which is HUGE for him since he is pretty much bed ridden. He enjoyed watching the kids open gifts, and we enjoyed his reaction to the horse Brandon gave to pops, that he painted himself. Nannie got a little overwhelmed, but truly enjoyed spending time with everyone.

Then we had a few days of playing in the snow with cousins before heading home to New Lenox.
It's been pretty easy going here. Jen came up with the boys and Alex, chris' cousin.

Kathryn participated in the 30 hr famine with her confirmation class and youth group.
I am very proud of her for doing this, and amazed at how much she learned and took away from this challenge. They all stayed over night at the church and did some skits and games that raised awareness to the starving children in Haiti. The church had sponsors and raised money for these children.

We had a few friends over for New Years Eve. We had a blast. We enjoyed shrimp, crab legs, and lobster tails, and lots of drinks. We played spoons, and card golf, and counted down at Midnight. Fun was had by all.

Today is laundry and movies, and just hanging out relaxing.
Chris has a fire going in the fire place and I am just gonna snuggle up with my family.

Happy New Year
Shel