A Tribute

Last Saturday John and I went to go see the new Batman movie and yes we absolutely LOVED it. However, I think we loved it for different reasons. I'm sure John loved the special effects, and I just loved watching Heath Ledger's last performance. And what a performance it was!! I'm not a huge Batman fan, I've seen them here and there. However, I have ALWAYS been a huge Heath Ledger fan. It was a rather sad time watching the movie knowing he's no longer with us though. He was such a great actor in everything he did. I'm always crazy for those actors who not only have the looks, but the skills, the accent, the personality, and don't give two cents for the fame of Hollywood. They are there to perform and nothing else. Something makes me go absolutely crazy for guys like that. (i.e. Johnny Depp as well). And yes, in case you were wondering, John is aware of my crush for Heath.

I do highly recommend seeing the movie, even if you aren't a Batman fan. I found the plot a little confusing but was mesmerized by the acting skills of Heath. My all time favorite movie is Four Feathers (yes with Heath Ledger in it also) and that is very very very highly recommended. It has a great plot and a great cast of characters....I'm also a fan of Kate Hudson.

I'm sure by now you realize how devastated I was earlier this year when I got the interruption in TV that said Heath Ledger passed away. John was already asleep so I just mourned in silence and sat in shock. I like to pretend that he didn't die by suicide or drugs or anything bad. I know he didn't have the cleanest record for that stuff but regardless he was a great actor and will always be one of my fav's. So here is my tribute to him.

Ha...Ha...Ha...Nay Nay

A delayed post. Last week I got the fortunate opportunity to hang out with some of my nephews and niece on John's side. They are rather adorable and hilarious. John and I both feel the pressure to give birth to cute children - since both sides of the family are surrounded by them. Hopefully we won't dissapoint....someday.

Anyway, after being bored out of my mind, I tagged along with my sis-in-law Sarah and helped her take the kiddos to the local "Bounce House". I've never been before but after arriving, I was tempted to bounce as well. What an interesting idea, a large building with about 6-7 blow-up bounce houses (the kind you see at the fair) and here these people are charging 7 bucks a kid. Why didn't I think of this? It was patrolled by hormonal teenagers that spent all of their time flirting and giggling with each other instead of monitoring the equipment. I'm sure they were only working for minimum wage. Well, after a short hour of children bouncing everywhere you could see, we headed for home. Everyone was either exhausted, injured, flush faced or both. I recommend it as a great way to tire out the kids before beddy-bye.

Then last Friday, I was lucky again (two nights in a row!) and got to babysit my neice, Karah, and nephew Bradley (or Boo). We had lots of fun, made cookies, played with the Wii, played WebKinz on the computer and wrestled. Thanks to their mother, I am now referred to as "Shanaynay" instead of Shannon. The name stuck when John and I first started dating so now the kiddos call me it too. However, with Brady it's even more adorable because due to his latest effort to get all of his words out, he stutters a little and thus I just about laughed when I heard him in the other room calling me..... "Ha Ha Ha...Nay Nay". They truly are adorable kids and I love hanging out with them. Their little brother Bryce is a cutie too. Here are a few pics of our adventures...

Karah enjoying the Bounce House slide. I captured this at the perfect moment.

Cute little Bryce enjoying his dinner.

Cute little Bradley (Boo). I stole this from Sarah's blog since I

wasn't able to catch Boo at the Bounce House

I Don't Wanna Be Lonely No More

So the title of this post is two-fold. It's both an ode to my most favoritest band/singer Rob Thomas who sings a song with this title, and it's also an ode to my current miserable state.

I dropped John off at the airport yesterday evening for a business trip to New York. Sadly, I did not get to tag along on this one. Now, for the next 3+ days I'll be all by my lonesome. I was actually dreading it the moment I heard him mention the trip plans. Silly I know. I spent the majority of my single years by myself. Well except for the occasional roommate but you get the idea. The silence never bothered me (with the added help of my dear friend Mr. TV). I got the blues occasionally but found pride in my independence along the way. And now that I'm a newlywed of 8 months, I can hardly tolerate the silence. Up until now, I've managed to visit my dear mother or siblings when John heads out of town. However, this time around, I figured it was time I learned to be a big girl and buck up. So...this is me....bucking up.....and blogging about it for my sympathetic readers.

So, what have I done today you ask? Well John taught me a trick of staying up late late late the night before so when you actually hit the bed you're already half asleep. And after trying this out last night I finally woke up this morning at 9:00ish. Woohoo!!! I survived!! Since then, I've managed to waller around, moaning, and rocking myself in the corner. Hahaha....ok not really but it was an entertaining visual wasn't it? I have managed to poke around, do some cleaning, head to the pool, and do some work as well. Not the most productive day but exactly what I've reserved it for. Today is the day I wallow in my sorrows. Tomorrow will be the day I actually grow up, get out of the house, and get something done. Sigh....the countdown begins.

Week With The Walkers

Last week I was reminded as to exactly why I love being a real estate agent. John had a business meeting in Kansas City and since I work my own hours, I got the opportunity to tag along with him. However, while he spent the days in meetings, I spent the days visiting my sis Michelle and her family in Liberty, MO. I hadn't seen my neice and nephew in a good while so we had a great visit. And luckily Colton and her girls got to join us for swimming and shopping on one of the days.

Day One: I found out just how much Michelle wanted me to visit after she drove to Kansas to pick me up. We immediately began our shopping trip to find her a shirt and shoes for my lil bro's upcoming wedding and headed off to a nice lunch before we settled back at her house.

Day Two: We all decided to beat the heat and head to the pool with the kids in tow. Colton brought Kayley and Cora up for a visit and we all had a blast. Kayley preferred to swim in the bacteria infested kiddie pool. Cora preferred to try to swim on her own and at 11 months that is rather daring! And Ashlyn spent the time showing us how she can jump into the pool to her momma. Later that night we enjoyed watching The Other Boelyn Girl. It was a fairly dark but interesting movie.

Day Three: We woke up early to go see "Mr. Stinky Feet" live and in person at the local library!! Luckily we arrived early as it was a sold out event. It was a hilarious experience and gave me a glimpse into the life of a stay-at-home mom. Ashlyn even did a little dancing right along with the music. Then we spent the day running errands and spoiling Ashlyn rotten

It wasn't long before Ashlyn was requesting I help her use the big girl's potty (something that apparently was a 'mommy only' thing before I came along). I hardly recognized little Preston because he had grown so much since his blessing when we saw him last. He is definitely his father's child - he looks just like Kendall. After a great three days of playing, swimming, napping, potty-training, and movie watching, it was time for John to pick me up and take me home. Not before a nice relaxing evening dinner at Applebee's with Michelle, Nick, and I and our families.

Needless to say I was exhausted after three days of experiencing what it was like to be a "stay-at-home mom". Kudos to all you mommies out there - you have a busy work schedule! Here are a few pics from our wonderful week together.

Can You Feel The Love Tonight?

I can!! Well if none of you knew it yet, I have a wonderful, thoughtful husband. I was reminded of this tonight even though I already knew it.

Today was a big day for me and my new profession. I closed on my first house as a real estate agent!! As you may have read in previous posts, I was rather worried and intimidated by this big day. I had never been to a closing, even as a homeowner, and because of this, I shudder when I hear the word.... "CCClllloooosssiiinnggg". I don't know where I developed this fear for them. I remember people saying how difficult they were but for the life of me I can't remember what people said these things or where/when I heard them. Well, much to my relief.....Today was a great success!! And I didn't get strung up by my thumbs or lashed or anything! The whole day was smooth sailing. The walk-through and the closing went off without a hitch. And now the first time homeowner's get to settle into their new house and I get some extra free time back in my life.

Anyway, earlier in the day, in the midst of all the running around, John called and asked if he could take me to dinner that evening to celebrate. I never need much convincing for dinner so I was game. However, he very cleverly managed to surprise me with just that.....a surprise! I was floored when I walked into the restaurant and saw all my wonderful in-laws waiting for me. They were there to help celebrate my big day and I was definitely surprised. I hate being the center of attention but I do love basking in the love that everyone gave me on my success. I have wonderful in-laws and a wonderful husband. I'd schedule a closing everyday if it gives us an excuse to all have dinner together!

Remember That One Time When We Did That One Thing??

Okay, so per the request of my lovely older sister Michelle who has an extraordinary memory and an increasing sense of jealousy and an extraordinary ability to pour on the guilt - I dedicate this post.

So, Michelle relayed to me in our weekly conversation last night about how I must love Colton (my sis-in-law) more than her. Darn.....she found me out. ;-) After all, this proof of said love is found in the post where I went on and on about the fun we had in Arkansas with the Bell family. Well unbeknownst to me I inadvertently forgot to post about our wonderful time we had with the Walker family prior to the Bell Reunion.

She is correct, and it is true. The wonderful Walker family were one of the first from my side to visit John and I in Arky (aside from my loverly mooma that is). And since Michelle was the first sibling to visit, she has now bumped herself up to my favorite #1 (sorry bout dat Quentoni ;-). If I remember correctly, we did have fun....lots of it. I don't remember exactly what we did besides visiting Chick-fil-a for lunch. This visit was in the pre-Preston era so I remember her being pregnant and I remember Ashlyn wandering around our house opening/shutting doors and looking for Uncle John anytime he went into another room. She is adorable and we had a grand time.....isn't that right Michelle? Unfortunately, I don't remember taking pictures so I have nothing to help jar my memory. But I do remember good times and great laughs. So, per your request Michelle, here is your post. And regardless of all the grief I've given you I still love ya! ;-)

Home, Home On The Range

Well technically I wouldn't consider the gun range as home but John would happily adopt it as his second home if he could. Especially now that he has purchased his new little baby - a Springfield XD9 handgun.

So, we finally ventured out to shoot the new gun for the first time. We went to a cute (er I mean cool and manly) shooting range that was outside in the woods and had a grand time.....minus the buckets of sweat we shed from the humidity. John went up first and he's a pretty decent shot. I was next and blew through about 10 rounds on my own - none of them hitting the target mind you. I suppose I'm more interested in enjoying the experience - hitting the target is a minor detail I tend to overlook. In all actuality, I was more nervous and cautious about pulling the trigger back and preparing for the recoil that I didn't pay any nevermind to that target thingy. I spent more of my time loading up the cartridges (it isn't as easy as it looks) and playing photographer. After a few rounds on the newbie gun and a few more on the 22 we were tuckered out. Guns are fun and all but they don't quite "trip my trigger" like they do for John and my brother Nick. (Lol....pun intended.....da dun dun...tiss).

Here are the pics of our outing...

John doing his "cool dude" pose as he begins shooting his first round.

The aftermath of his first round of shooting the new gun.

Me taking the stance and preparing for the recoil. Whaddya say - should I audition for the next Cagney & Lacey or perhaps Charlie's Angels?

"Yeah dahts raight, I am da ladeths maaan"