Shillig 4 Family

I have written more checks this school year than in all their previous school years combined.  This was another one of those check writing moments.  They each wanted a picture when the animal exhibition came to their school.  They advertised "professional quality photo" and while they're not terrible, they're not amazing either.  The kids said the kangaroo joey kept licking them.  Malachi was sad the kangaroo was too hyper by the time he got to go.  He has a picture with what I believe is a bearded dragon. Their hats were because it was FARMER day at school that day.  This seems to be Solomon's new pose, mouth open and usually accompanied by a thumbs up, peace, or I love you sign.

 The kids have been telling me about their ideas for days.   Solomon's were the most extreme and involved shaving his head in different ways that he described to me almost daily since the letter came home last week.  One of the ideas was to shave his whole head like Uncle Brody.  Then the next one was make the hair stick up all over and then shave the hair in the middle of his head.  Then today he asked for reindeer "horns" because his friend, Isaiah, at school has a shaved head and he said he didn't want to hurt his feelings by shaving his head and calling it crazy because Isaiah would think his hair is considered crazy hair.  The logic and concern for his friend blew me away.   In Boca, we braided Mali Su's hair around a coat hanger we borrowed from the frat guys that lived across the street.  She has always talked about it.  Then last year we did "cupcakes" with her hair through cupcake holders.  This year she asked to retu...

One of my main motivators for going back to school & choosing a major so far outside my comfort zone was so that I could design websites for Jake's law firm. He's always had an entrepreneurial spirit & desired to be self-employed. I wanted to be able to work together in our careers. I am currently studying Web Design/Development & for one of my classes had to start a REAL online business. I, of course, "double dipped" & made a website for Jake. He has started his own immigration law firm. He mainly works with investment immigration & corporate immigration, but can do so much more. So, even though our life is very much out there with a blog & social media, this is for some reason very hard for me to post, but here it is (and is still a work in progress),  Shillig Law.  http://shilliglaw.com/   Feel free to spread the word!

 Luckily we live in a small town in the South because the local Wal-Mart had just what we needed for "Farmer Day" at the last minute.  I love watching how excited the kids get over each themed day. Malachi came to me and said, "Mom, I'm just not a jean guy, I mean I'm really not a jean guy" and I said, "Does that mean you don't want to wear those jeans (wranglers) I got you?"   Malachi:  "Yeah, I'm just not a jean guy."   Mom:  "Ok son, go change"

Aunt Delaney came over and the idea to sleep in the backyard.  We ran and bought a tent and the kids did all the setup and fire building on their own.  I was impressed!  I helped them start the fire and monitored, but overall it was a free-for-all kid paradise out there.  Our cousin Ethan came too.  It was 65 degrees and got even chillier as the night went on.  Aunt Delaney came inside to charge her phone and fell asleep on the chair so around 1 AM I brought all the kids in to sleep.  This was a fun adventure had by all!

This week the kids will be dressing a certain way each day.  Today was wear red.  When Solomon got off the bus after school today he ran full speed at me holding out a bracelet and shouted,  "MOM!  I'M DRUG FREE!" Oh the funny things kids say!

 Today I was a chaperone for Solomon's class.  We went to see a play at the Lutcher Theater in Orange, TX.  The kids did pretty well even though it was long and didn't hold their attention the entire time.  After that we went to Claiborne park where it was good ol' SE TX muggy and hot.  The kids ran around and played.  I got to catch up with friends from church and school days.  It is so fun being back in your hometown for moments like these.  Solomon asked a few of his friends to take pictures with him.  This is Annabelle Tolman and Kylie.  Even with a fractured arm I made the best of the day.  Now I just want a nap, but instead I need to get homework done before a busy night of church things.  I just love this sweet Solomon Roy.  He told me that kids didn't want to sit by him at lunch because they think his seaweed he brings is "gross" but Ms. Nase told me that he makes a big mess because he eats it like a...

 I broke my arm this past Thursday, Jake left Friday for a LONG trip, but these babies of mine have been amazing.  Sure, they have their moments, but all in all they are making this time easy for me.  I am loving having our Southern backyard that they run out to play in lately after school.  The mosquitoes seem to be less and while it's not cool just yet, it's not hot. Goodness gracious sakes alive, I love them!

 On our first full day in Panama City we went to the Temple.  We got up early and took a car from the hotel, but shortly after leaving I realized I had left my recommend so we went back.  It took forever because of the one way streets.  The temple grounds were beautiful. There was a chapel, apartments for temple guests, and of course the Temple on a hill.  I liked seeing it was built the year Mali Su was born.  We couldn't get enough of walking around and photographing this beautiful and sacred building.  The security guard offered to take our picture.  He didn't speak English so we took what he took and smiled and said our usual, "gracias."  We went inside and felt such strong feelings even with the language barrier.  It was incredible.  I am so grateful we always try to travel where there is a temple, it makes the trip that much more special.