Shillig 4 Family

The most impressive thing of this entire weekend was that Zelda made a friend.  His name is Mario and he is the Lubben's dog.  She turned into the clingiest, most annoying friend EVER, but it was so cute to see.  I loved that she was nice and that they got along.  We wrapped up a jam packed weekend with my cousin, Kayla, and her family coming over the day the Lubbens left.   It was a great weekend for sure.                            

Jake's mission buddy, Noah, and his family came to visit.  It was so fun to have them with us.  The first night they got in later so we went to bed, but woke up to a full family day planned.  I grabbed donuts early with the awake kids.  Jake then wanted everyone to head to the park for more playing and sports.  It was so all-American in my eyes.  It was such a wholesome, outside, active morning.

Being a wife and mother who works is hard for me sometimes.   I love contributing to our family and filling my days as best I can, but sometimes I just feel like I struggle to do it “all” and feel bad when I can’t.   I love that the girls ask me to wake them before I go so I can do their hair and help them pick their outfit.   I love the times that the school has functions after I’m off so I can make it just. In. time.   I love feeling like I have succeeded at home and at work.   I love being a wife and mother and then a paralegal on the side.

I always had lofty goals for FHE and now I have realistic ones.  In the past I made it a big event, we invited friends, or went on a family outing.  Now, we gather in the living room and enjoy each other's company and if we're lucky go to Andy's for custard when we're done.  I think what they say about times and seasons is true because in this season I am just too tired to be social.  But, when I think about it, I miss the social FHEs.  I think maybe I'll try to rotate those in as well.

He seems so much older than 9 to me, but at the same time 9 fits just right.   He had his friend party and asked for it to be in our back yard.   We worked hard to get the pool ready for the big day.   We made invitations and he passed them out at church and school.   He was such a sweet brother and told each sibling they could bring a friend too.   My friend Beth from our Orlando days and my Mom helped tremendously when it came to food serving.   Delaney and Beth’s son pulled lifeguard duty & I tried to visit everyone I could, like the Huntzingers who came as well.   Jake ended up having to work and got there just as the party was ending.   It was a perfect 9 th birthday and I am so in love with our house having the room and ability to host things just like this.                 Malachi is very lovable, gets frustrated easily, is working on his posture, ...

Jake shared this:   “In 4 th grade Nicole Campbell’s Dad came to our classroom on her birthday and gave her a $100 bill.   I have always wanted to do the same thing, and today I did.   The $1 coins are for his pool party tomorrow.   I love being a Dad!”   Jake ate lunch with both boys on their lunch breaks & they listened to cool music too!   I love that they are making memories with their father.   What a blessing it is to have such an active, creative, and loving father in our home!

We are post Harvey and needed a new vehicle.  I have not ever been the one to pick a vehicle.  We have always been practical and picked what would be best for the family.  This time, Jake got me my dream "Mom" car for Mother's Day.  I am so happy with it!  It seats 9, the kids love that it has WiFi, and I love all the cargo room.  Jake even thinks it's AMAZING and he's hard to impress.  I am so blessed & feel so grateful for our life post-Harvey.  We may have lost our Prius, but we now have a suburban and I am overjoyed!          Side note:  Jake had a bad case of vertigo on purchase day and my heart just broke for him.  It was a first, but I prayerful it'll be the last!

Mother’s Day. I love the breakfast in bed, cards, homemade gifts, the whole nine yards to be brought to me as I (pretend to) relax. Deep down I’m thinking, who needs help getting ready for church? Did I buy the right things for them to make for breakfast? But, at the end of the day they are older and more capable now than in years past and I love waiting on them to come in my room excitedly with the things they made me.   (this year getting the suburban that fit us all was a dream beyond my wildest dreams)  I am blessed to be their Mother and I love every minute of it! Motherhood is what brings me joy. I love being a wife and mother above all other things in my life.     The men in the ward (church) took over all our callings and assignments and brought us the yummiest desserts on real china, it was fabulous!  I was impressed!

Beau was stationed in the panhandle of Florida for recruiter training for the Navy.   On his way to their new home in Lumberton, TX he stopped to see our Nana.   Nana is my Mom’s first husband’s (Dale, Dillon’s Dad) mother.   She is a true angel on this Earth and I am so grateful that she is my Nana.   We lived with Nana while Jake got situated at law school and we celebrated Beau’s 17 th birthday there.   I added that photo as well.   I love that our family is so full of twists and turns and we just make it into something beautiful.