Halloween

Then there was Halloween. Abby was a... fairy/princess/whatever. :)

We kind of had a bummer Halloween, but I'm ok with that. Halloween came on a Sunday and I didn't feel it right to go out and trick or treat on Sunday. I don't mind handing out candy and being friendly with neighbors, but on Sunday, it's just not a sabbath day holy activity to me, so we didn't go out.

However at music makers, a singing group I often take Abby to, they got to go to that in costume. Then we had a ward trunk or treat and she got to wear her costume again. However we came a half hour late to the trunk or treat (it was because of confusion. I thought we were eating the first hour then trunk or treating the second hour-- WRONG. ALL the candy was gone by the time we got there.)  :( So we missed out on candy this year. Oh well, we had a bunch of our own that we were going to hand out but didn't because we were late. It was alright though, all she cared about was that she got to dress up. Here's some pictures

Gymnastics

Abby started gymnastics in September. For being 3 and all she's done pretty well. I've been impressed. I hope she continues to enjoy it.

(Katie can correct me if I'm wrong, but from the photo you can see it was taken by Amy Jamieson Photography for Desert Star Gymnastics. She posted this picture on her face book page and wouldn't let me see it. Then finally she let me see it but she wouldn't let me tag myself in it so that my friends and family can see it. I understand wanting to protect your photos and copy rights and such, but if you're going to put a picture of my child up on face book with out my permission, I'd at least appreciate tagging me in it, so that i know about it and can share. Maybe that's wrong, but don't put the picture up at all if you're going to be picky about it. Any who, that was a side tangent)

She can now walk across the beam without help. She's improving a lot, and I love to watch her grow in this! It's already helping her motor skills in her daily life. Yay!

and here's some pictures. not the best but you get the idea.

Slideshow of some gymnastics pictures, taken when she first started. 

Some how I need to end 2010....

It's been far past due... an update that is. I was hoping I would have gotten it done several weeks ago but the inability to post pictures has discouraged me and sent away. Alas, it's time to conquer the big monster, the blog/family journal.

What has happened since I last truly updated my blog.

(Posts to follow)

Trek

I lost my shadow...

I lost my shadow

Today I lost my shadow. And it's hard to take in. I walk around the house expecting her to be there on the floor or eating dinner with me, but she's not. I walk in to the room and her persistence of staying by my side is gone. She didnt say much or do much, but a shadow never does. 

My shadow no longer lays dutifully at my feet while sleeping, waiting to get up and see where I take her that day.

Loyal and true, that's what my shadow was to me. She was always there to greet me when my day was through. Always there by my side, happy mad or blue. 

My shadow was a direct reflection of me. She loved to eat, loved the sun, the out doors, smells, citrus trees, bike rides, car rides, a good chase, a good fight, family and friends. She loved a good prime rib, snuggling, being in the kitchen and being with kids; she was full of love. But of course she loves these things, a shadow is the direct reflection of me. :)

My shadow brought in the perspective of light. With out light, my shadow is dead, and I am too. I feel dead inside with out her. 

I wish my shadow would come back. Like they always say, you don't know it's missing, until it's gone. 

My shadow's in me, she is me. And I love her very much. I miss her deeply. I wish she'd come back. 

Until we meet again.... Rest in a beautiful loving peace. 





In loving memory of my shadow, my baby girl, my puppy: Shelby (4 December 2007 - 15 December 2010

'Twas The Night Before Christmas (mom style)

My friend posted this on Face book this evening and I liked it. So I'm copying it to keep on my blog. Hope you enjoy it too. :)

'Twas The Night Before Christmas (Mom Style)

Twas the night before Christmas,
when all thru the abode
Only one creature was stirring,
and she was cleaning the commode.

The children were finally sleeping,
all snug in their beds,
while visions of N-64 & Barbie,
flipped through their heads.

The dad was snoring in front of the TV,
with a half-constructed bicycle propped on his knee.
So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
which made her sigh, "Now what is the matter?"

With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,
She descended the stairs, and saw the old man.
He was covered with ashes and soot, which fell with a
shrug, "Oh great," muttered the mom, "Now I have to clean the rug."

"Ho Ho Ho!" cried Santa, "I'm glad you're awake."
"Your gift was especially difficult to make."
"Thanks, Santa, but all I want is time alone."
"Exactly!" he chuckled, "So, I've made you a clone."

"A clone?" she muttered, "What good is that?"
"Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit chat."
Then out walked the clone - The mother's twin,
Same hair, same eyes, same double chin.

"She'll cook, she'll dust, she'll mop every mess.
You'll relax, take it easy, watch The Young and The Restless."
"Fantastic!" the mom cheered. "My dream has come true!"
"I'll shop, I'll read, I'll sleep a night through!"

From the room above, the youngest did fret.
"Mommy?! Come quickly, I'm scared and I'm wet."
The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart."
"Hey," the mom smiled, "She sure knows her part."

The clone changed the small one and hummed her tune,
as she bundled the child in a blanket cocoon.
"You're the best mommy ever. I really love you."
The clone smiled and sighed, "And I love you, too."

The mom frowned and said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal."
That's my child's LOVE she is trying to steal."
Smiling wisely Santa said, "To me it is clear,
Only one loving mother is needed here."

The mom kissed her child and tucked her in bed.
"Thank You, Santa, for clearing my head.
I sometimes forget, it won't be very long,
when they'll be too old for my cradle and song."

The clock on the mantle began to chime.
Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."

With the clone by his side Santa said "Goodnight.
Merry Christmas, dear Mom, You will be all right."

Quote of the month of November

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go..."  -  Theodor Seuss Geisel

Reverse your buts.

I saw this on a friend's status on FB, I'm reposting it here:

"Reverse your buts." (i.e., "I had a great day but I'm tired." reversed to "I'm tired but I had a great day!")

Yay! We finally got a Pecan tree!

there is a direct relation between Abby Orton and Grandma smith

I'll have you know, that you can be worry free. Abby IS RELATED TO GRANDMA SMITH. Why do you say that, you ask?

Well, she woke up at 2 am last night asking for "dooonnuuttts". Then she woke up this morning and of course insisted on "donuts" for breakfast. And if that wasn't enough. She dragged us to the store this morning and wanted a CHOCOLATE frosted CHOCOLATE donut with sprinkles on top.... and to top it off, she had to have it with CHOCOLATE milk...........