Skip to main content

Happy New Year!

Heads up- I wrote this yesterday but was a good girl and didn’t finish it until I finished my work! *

What a day! We just got home, 29 hours later than anticipated. Our flight got cancelled, Eli got an ear/eye infection, we went straight from the airport to the Urgicare, and it just wasn’t as planned. A very little amount of sleep and a lot of coffee got me through the past 48 hours. But- if that’s all I have to complain about then I’ve got it pretty good.

We had family to sit with us while we waited during our 6 hour delay from Riverton, we were able to see a pediatrician on New Year’s Eve, my mother-in-law got our pups from boarding and brought them to our house so we didn’t have to make an extra trip, our pharmacy is 24/7. Hey- not bad.
I’ve got so much to do- 40 more pictures to edit and get out by tomorrow, three business blogs, follow-ups with two clients, editing pictures from my Pearls and Poinsettia’s party and my sister’s family photo shoot, invitations to get out, groceries to get, and a few more projects for Eli’s party. BUT- I feel like if I don’t blog right this second it will escape me- those memories.

Before I get into it, let me just say I don’t want to hear about your new year’s resolution to lose 20 lbs unless it’s for your health. Wow that was harsh right? Here’s where I’m coming from. We live in a world that tells you that if you were richer, thinner, prettier, more fun, you’d be happier. So, we go around trying to fit this mold, lose ourselves, and still are not happy. I remember obsessing over my weight until I reached a very specific numerical weight goal. I truly believed I would reach my full potential if I just had that self-control. Somehow I would be more confident and therefore more loved, right? Wrong. I reached that goal and decided that I needed to be even thinner. I was more insecure! So what I’m saying is- Strive to be your best, strive to grow. Be healthy, be happy, but don’t buy into the idea that you aren’t enough as is. I am as happier now than I was when I bought into that lie. Respect yourself and your body.

My New Year’s resolution is more of the same. Enjoy life, be present, be thankful, learn more. I wish the same for you too!

Eli: Week 50
IMG_3085IMG_3095IMG_3103IMG_3127IMG_3136IMG_3157IMG_3159IMG_3446IMG_3448IMG_3462IMG_3457IMG_3449IMG_3453IMG_3122IMG_3119
This week I went to Wyoming to see some of my family for Christmas! I was very good on the plane, and I particularly liked to stand up and let the air conditioner blow my hair. It made me laugh and laugh. It snowed 16 inches in Thermopolis and I was mesmerized! I went sledding for the first time which I felt pretty neutral about. Sometimes I liked it, but sometimes I didn’t, like when dad sprayed my face with snow when he was trying to stop the sled with his feet. I did like going for walks in the snow and the cold didn’t bother me at all. I must have been a good boy, because I was spoiled by Santa, Mimi & Sabba, my aunts and uncles, and PaPaw and Grandma. I got not one, but two rider cars- a blue and a red one- so now I get to pick my mode of transportation based on my mood. I also got some blocks, bath toys, three new jammies, and tons of CAT toys during my Wyoming birthday party. For the birthday party I got to spend the day with my cousins, who made me a banner, ate homemade ice cream that PaPaw Joe made, and had a delicious German chocolate smash cake that grandma made. It was so good I was too wired to sleep for two hours after my bedtime. I like to walk on my knees, I figured out how to get down stairs by myself, and I learned to say ‘PaPaw’. I have at least 7 teeth now (mom thinks maybe even 8) and I like to crawl into boxes.

Hope you had a great Christmas & Happy New Year!
-Shantel









Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Tuesday Tips

This week’s focus is…         MENU Oh how I love food. After you’ve come up with your theme and your dĂ©cor, it seems (at least to me) for the menu to come along naturally. I do have a few rules I try stick to. When I throw a party I generally like to have something crunchy you can snack on, something healthy(ish), something you could consider to be what I call “real food” aka something you would eat as part of a main meal, at least 2 drink options, and something deliciously sweet. Although I try to have some of the food options be theme-specific, I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary. People might remember if your food was theme specific, but they’re definitely going to remember if your food was delicious. Don’t feel like you can’t make some of your favorite staples for a party! Make food you would like to eat- especially if you’re hosting. You might just have leftovers. If you’re staple food is steak, or something equally expensive or equally larg...

Dust yourself off & try again

Okay, I have persisted and I have a few tips. Fluffier frosting is definitely not the way to go. I used a fluffier frosting and the frosting ended up coming off the cookie with the stamp. This icing seemed to work much better. Secondly, brush cornstarch on top of the icing to limit the stickiness. PaperVine was so right about that! I had a rubber stamp and an acrylic stamp and the rubber stamp worked much better. That’s not to say that acrylic stamps won’t work, but I didn’t have an acrylic block to put the food coloring on. I used the paper towel method I read about somewhere (for the life of me I can’t find it), where you put paper towels into a Tupperware container and soak it with food coloring. You use the paper towels as a sort of ink-pad. Next time I may just shell out the cash for an un-inked foam pad. I’m also interested to see how different types of food coloring works. Some people swear by gel while others swear by airbrush food coloring. Thirdly, make sure you’re hu...

Nerd, Nerd, Nerd, Nerd is the Word

I really want to throw a nerd party! How fun would that be? If my husband was into parties I might would just throw him a nerd party for his birthday. He’s not a Screech type of nerd, but he does like to game and is into computers and gadgets. I’m definitely having trouble coming up with a catchy name for the invitations, but you know I’m ready for the food! I think I would start out with a periodic table cloth on the food table to set the stage. Much like this one from Learning beyond the books. Then I’d definitely bake a nice pi pie like this one from Bot Pie . Then I would pick and choose from some of theses ideas. Love the Jell-O Legos The Joys of Jello did! These cupcake stencils and cakelet pans from Williams Sonoma are so cool too! And who could forget drinks? Harry Potter Butterbeer anyone? As far as dĂ©cor goes- I think these removable Mario wall stickers would be a nice addition, and these Star Wars (Lego) glow sticks could be fun favors. This is definitel...