I feel like once Halloween hits life becomes a fabulous whirlwind of family, friends, food and excitement! I absolutely love it! Yes, it can be busy...yes, it can be crazy with the kids and the travel...and yes, it can be exhausting...but man, there's just nothing like this time of year!
I think overall it's the buildup and excitement BEFORE the holidays that I love so much! Like this week...I'm planning my menu for the rest of the month including all the fun foods I will make for Thanksgiving get-togethers here and there...and I just love making out my shopping list...pumpkin...cranberries...sweet potatoes...and the organizing that goes into cooking for Thanksgiving...love it! I also love that on my next trip to Costco I get to peruse the giant isles for fun things for the kids and specialty items for friends. I love that I can go to Target right now and all the Thanksgiving food is right up front...and on sale! I love all the prep and planning and calls to family to organize food and such...just love it!
And the greatest thing is that this happens again right after Thanksgiving...we will go and chop our tree down at my Nanny's house...enjoy more delicious food...make the journey home to Charlotte with our tree...get the kids in bed as quick as we can that night and then Chris and I will put in Christmas Vacation and have coffee and put the tree up...ahhh...so fun! And then December brings all kinds of fun and planning...but I'm getting ahead of myself!
We have enjoyed the past couple of weeks gearing up for the holidays...dressing up for Halloween...putting together our shoeboxes for OCC...deciding what gifts we want to begin purchasing for folks...and loving the warm fall weather we've had! For pictures of all of our fun times check out our shutterfly share site...http://shelton3.shutterfly.com/
Monday, November 9, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
"charlottans"
I guess we are officially "city folk"...we are settled into a new home in Charlotte, and we have really enjoyed being here so far.
Chris LOVES his new job with Operation Christmas Child! He has been able to travel and meet people (and put in some long hours!), and he's just really enjoying it. He found out that he will get to go to Russia in February for shoebox delivery, which is really exciting! He also just went on his first solo training trip last week to Charleston, SC. His busy season is just beginning, but the work is really rewarding. I have loved learning more about the organization and process as he has been learning his job.
The little rascals are also doing great...although we did have our first round of stomach viruses last month...not a pretty sight around here for about a week! Julia had never had anything like that before, and it was just so pitiful to see her so sick! She is back to her normal, loud, friendly, and wild self these days. She loves to play outside despite the heat and humidity some days...sidewalk chalk, the swing set, and the neighborhood pool are all favorites! She is chattering like crazy and really learning to say lots of new words...we also think she may be about ready to start potty training...can't believe it! No rush on that one!
Little man, Elisha, is doing great also! He is rolling over now (from back to belly), and putting on lots of delicious chunkiness!! He's so relaxed and easy-going and he smiles all the time! He's holding his head up really well, and loves to sleep on his belly with his knees up under him. He hasn't gotten the hang of rolling himself back over from his belly yet, so he just cries when he's tired of laying there :) He loves to talk walks in the front carrier, play in the floor with Julia bringing him a billion toys, and he loves to be held...any lap will do!
I am adjusting to Charlotte...the biggest difference in this move for me has been the kids...previously when we have moved I have been working and have had some adult interaction built in...but not this time! The hardest thing has been really missing friends and family from Greensboro...and being able to just call someone up and take the kids to play or grab lunch or whatever. I know that will come in time here...relationships take time and effort...and I know once we have a church home that will help as well. Speaking of church homes...we are still searching...we have a couple that we have visited that we are going to check out further. We also have some wonderful neighbors, a great neighborhood, and easy access to tons of fun stuff here!
Well, that's the short and skinny...or the long and not-so-skinny of it all...check out our shutterfly page to see updated pictures!
http://shelton3.shutterfly.com/
Chris LOVES his new job with Operation Christmas Child! He has been able to travel and meet people (and put in some long hours!), and he's just really enjoying it. He found out that he will get to go to Russia in February for shoebox delivery, which is really exciting! He also just went on his first solo training trip last week to Charleston, SC. His busy season is just beginning, but the work is really rewarding. I have loved learning more about the organization and process as he has been learning his job.
The little rascals are also doing great...although we did have our first round of stomach viruses last month...not a pretty sight around here for about a week! Julia had never had anything like that before, and it was just so pitiful to see her so sick! She is back to her normal, loud, friendly, and wild self these days. She loves to play outside despite the heat and humidity some days...sidewalk chalk, the swing set, and the neighborhood pool are all favorites! She is chattering like crazy and really learning to say lots of new words...we also think she may be about ready to start potty training...can't believe it! No rush on that one!
Little man, Elisha, is doing great also! He is rolling over now (from back to belly), and putting on lots of delicious chunkiness!! He's so relaxed and easy-going and he smiles all the time! He's holding his head up really well, and loves to sleep on his belly with his knees up under him. He hasn't gotten the hang of rolling himself back over from his belly yet, so he just cries when he's tired of laying there :) He loves to talk walks in the front carrier, play in the floor with Julia bringing him a billion toys, and he loves to be held...any lap will do!
I am adjusting to Charlotte...the biggest difference in this move for me has been the kids...previously when we have moved I have been working and have had some adult interaction built in...but not this time! The hardest thing has been really missing friends and family from Greensboro...and being able to just call someone up and take the kids to play or grab lunch or whatever. I know that will come in time here...relationships take time and effort...and I know once we have a church home that will help as well. Speaking of church homes...we are still searching...we have a couple that we have visited that we are going to check out further. We also have some wonderful neighbors, a great neighborhood, and easy access to tons of fun stuff here!
Well, that's the short and skinny...or the long and not-so-skinny of it all...check out our shutterfly page to see updated pictures!
http://shelton3.shutterfly.com/
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
the shelton 4 are on the move!
We have been so blessed this month as Chris has accepted a new job as Operation Christmas Child Regional Manager for the Carolinas Region! The position is based in Charlotte, so the past weeks for us have been spent getting our house here listed (and sold - yeah!) as well as searching for and finding a new house in Charlotte (double yeah!)...we will be closing on our current home early in June and we will close on the new home the middle of June...lots of transition...praise the Lord for moving companies...I've heard they even pack your trash!! We hope to all be in Charlotte and getting settled by the end of next month, but right now, life is crazy!
Chris is already working in Charlotte and staying with a very nice guy...Joey...who he works with down there. Needless to say, we don't get to see as much of "Daddy" as we would like to right now, but it is just temporary. The kids and I are here in Greensboro just doing our normal thing and trying to prepare for a move. I am sad to leave here for sentimental reasons...our kids were born here and this is the first home we have lived in as a family...but we are so excited for the new job and learning a new town and making more new friends! I think we knew our life would never be boring when we got married, and the Lord is just continuing to keep us on our toes! We have been very blessed by the Lord's care for us during the past weeks...all the little details have really just fallen into place.
I have also taken on a new "adventure" of sorts...now don't laugh too hard...I am currently a small business owner...I have started selling Mary Kay products :) I said don't laugh TOO hard!! I really actually have had a lot of fun with it so far, and hope to be able to earn a small living just doing it part time. Anyway, that's that...
As for the kids, Julia is growing like crazy...quite the wide-open toddler...she has moments of "brilliance" and moments of "insanity" as anyone raising toddlers knows! She is a mess...loves to be outside...loves to read...loves Veggietales...and loves to eat! She has also never met a stranger and her newest thing is waving to anyone she sees! Elisha is growing too...he's a very low-key, chill little guy...thank goodness he's not as high-strung as his sister! He loves to be held and he smiles a lot right now...he's 8 weeks old and I just can't believe it's already been 8 weeks!!
Anyway, we are all well and just really enjoying this season of life! Again, my blogging consistency...not so great, but I will keep trying!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
the second time around
I have now survived the first 2 weeks of life with an 18 month old and a newborn! I feel like that is a pretty big accomplishment :) I definitely think that the first week after having a little one is the toughest, and the second week is when reality actually sets in...so the combination is pretty intimidating. I am sitting here, however, at the computer...the house is quiet (except for Food Network in the background)...and both of my kids are asleep...life is good!
After making it through these first two weeks and feeling fairly successful, I honestly feel that for us, the transition from 1 child to 2 has been MUCH EASIER than going from 0 to 1! I think that having just one child...for us at least...was a time when we had to really re-learn one another (Chris and myself I mean)...we had to learn how each other would operate as parents and then as partners. Now, with the second one, we already have that figured out! We have had 18 months to practice becoming even better communicators, and we have managed to figure out how to really enjoy our life with one sweet little girl!
After the addition of our new little guy almost 2 weeks ago, we didn't have to go through any of those moments where we were wondering what the other person would do...how the other person would handle a screaming infant...how sleep deprivation would make us cranky and irritable with each other...and how little arguments about nothing specific enough to remember would make us mad for days. The second go round is proving to be a breeze compared to the first time!
Now, I realize this is not true for everyone, but for us, life with two has been really great so far! Yeah, there are moments when I think, "Oh my gosh, how am I going to do this" or "Gee, I hope my toddler doesn't roll my 2 week old off the bed while I grab a quick shower"...but overall, life is good...very full, very rich, and certainly not lacking for entertainment!
After making it through these first two weeks and feeling fairly successful, I honestly feel that for us, the transition from 1 child to 2 has been MUCH EASIER than going from 0 to 1! I think that having just one child...for us at least...was a time when we had to really re-learn one another (Chris and myself I mean)...we had to learn how each other would operate as parents and then as partners. Now, with the second one, we already have that figured out! We have had 18 months to practice becoming even better communicators, and we have managed to figure out how to really enjoy our life with one sweet little girl!
After the addition of our new little guy almost 2 weeks ago, we didn't have to go through any of those moments where we were wondering what the other person would do...how the other person would handle a screaming infant...how sleep deprivation would make us cranky and irritable with each other...and how little arguments about nothing specific enough to remember would make us mad for days. The second go round is proving to be a breeze compared to the first time!
Now, I realize this is not true for everyone, but for us, life with two has been really great so far! Yeah, there are moments when I think, "Oh my gosh, how am I going to do this" or "Gee, I hope my toddler doesn't roll my 2 week old off the bed while I grab a quick shower"...but overall, life is good...very full, very rich, and certainly not lacking for entertainment!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
The Shelton4 Come Home...
After a redemptive visit to the hospital this time - one that left us much less weary than our first experience - Chris, Molly and Baby Elisha came home on Tuesday afternoon to Julia and her Grammy and Granddad. So far, Elisha is an 'eating machine,' doing his share of sleeping and demanding a meal almost every two hours...much different from his big sister.
On Tuesday before checkout, we found out that Elisha was a bit jaundiced, but otherwise no problems. We had an appointment scheduled for his first visit to the pediatrician on Thursday afternoon, but didn't realize when we made the appointment that we would later be scheduling one simultaneously for Julia, who we found out has had an ear infection in both ears. In addition, Elisha was more jaundice and Molly realized she was having another bout with mastitis. However, Friday brought better news for us, in that Elisha didn't have to go "under the lamps," and that his jaundice was diminishing, and that Julia and Molly were on the mend after beginning antibiotics.
So, life with two has begun, and we feel like we've literally be 'tossed-in' this week! Yet, I can't even begin to describe the joy we've experienced to see the - now - two children that God has entrusted to our care and blessed us with! Elisha seems to be growing on Julia by the day, as she's giving him more kisses and gets a kick out of watching him get his diaper changed! Chris has been mostly on Julia-watch, and has enjoyed some sweet moments with his little girl this week...the kind that make you not want to go back to work, even though you've got to!
Again, we are so grateful for all of your friendships, love, support, visits, gifts, etc. that continue to make this time in our lives even more full and abundant.
Savoring the moments!
On Tuesday before checkout, we found out that Elisha was a bit jaundiced, but otherwise no problems. We had an appointment scheduled for his first visit to the pediatrician on Thursday afternoon, but didn't realize when we made the appointment that we would later be scheduling one simultaneously for Julia, who we found out has had an ear infection in both ears. In addition, Elisha was more jaundice and Molly realized she was having another bout with mastitis. However, Friday brought better news for us, in that Elisha didn't have to go "under the lamps," and that his jaundice was diminishing, and that Julia and Molly were on the mend after beginning antibiotics.
So, life with two has begun, and we feel like we've literally be 'tossed-in' this week! Yet, I can't even begin to describe the joy we've experienced to see the - now - two children that God has entrusted to our care and blessed us with! Elisha seems to be growing on Julia by the day, as she's giving him more kisses and gets a kick out of watching him get his diaper changed! Chris has been mostly on Julia-watch, and has enjoyed some sweet moments with his little girl this week...the kind that make you not want to go back to work, even though you've got to!
Again, we are so grateful for all of your friendships, love, support, visits, gifts, etc. that continue to make this time in our lives even more full and abundant.
Savoring the moments!
Monday, March 23, 2009
He's Here!
After two weeks of keeping us on the edge of our seats, we finally got to meet our newest addition last night. Elisha Grant Shelton made his grand entrance into the world at 8pm EST on Sunday, March 22nd (shortly after Sunday's NCAA Basketball action) weighing 8lb. 1oz. and measuring 22 inches long. Molly did an amazing job yesterday, and both are doing great today!Among some of the notable events from yesterday, Molly ended up injuring herself while attacking an orange popsicle in the middle of contractions. Just a reminder: don't let your lips or tongue stick to something cold like that, and then just think you can suddenly jerk it away with no consequences! The funniest part here was that the nurses were really considering having to write this up as an injury report prior to the deliver. That may have been a first...but we all got a great laugh out of it, including Molly!
Julia came by earlier this morning with her grandparents to see her new little brother, who she's known as "baby" (or pronounced be-a-be) for the last nine months. She was very curious, and even greeted him by laying a sweet kiss on his cheek. I'm sure she can't wait to attempt to use him as another passenger for her new "crash-test-stroller" program currently going on inside the Shelton residence!
Thank you all for your love, support, prayers, visits, calls, texts, emails and all the joy and excitement that has been added to Elisha's arrival through your friendships. We have an amazing affection and appreciation for each of you; we love you all and thank you for blessing us!For now, please be sure to check in regularly to our pictorial site - Shelton3.Shutterfly.com - for new picture-updates of our growing family!
And by the way, Elisha says, "Go Heels!"
Saturday, March 14, 2009
nothing to report yet...
Well, here I sit...just waiting...watching the Heels, and enjoying the rain...but no baby yet! We are anxiously awaiting baby's arrival! In an effort to move things along, I have actually been jogging at the gym the past 2 days! I think I'm scaring some folks there...they may be thinking that I'm crazy! I'm still a week and half from my due date, so there's no rush...but it sure is hard to wait when you think things are going to move along any time now!!
The pictures above were taken a few weeks ago when Daniel and Brenna (my brother and his wife) came to visit. Brenna is a photography major, and so we took Julia to a park near our house and just played! She had a great time, despite it being insanely cold! If you want to see the rest of these, visit our Shutterfly page!
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