My baby boy Andrew turned 9 years old on Friday. I can't believe how fast these years have flown by. I am so proud of the amazing boy he has become. I can't help but being a little sad though. I wish I could keep him with me forever...I love him so much my heart aches...

Every time I look at you

I say a silent prayer

That every time you need me

God help me to be there...

I ask you to forgive me son

If I fail you now and then

For I will keep trying, my son

Until the very end...

I ask you now, forgive me son

If I'm a little overprotective too

For I really mean no harm, my son

I simply am in love with you...

I know you must let you stumble, my son

Learn to stand on your own two feet

For I know someday you'll have to stand strong

Against the difficulties you will meet...

Be careful of this world, my son

For it can be dark and cold

But as long as keep your faith in God

You'll have riches and treasures untold...

I hate to see you pained, my son

I hate to see you cry

I hate to see you hurt

And for this i would rather die...

So if things get to hard, my son

And it's dark and you cannot see

I will be your light

You can always depend on me...

xoxoxoxo ~Mommy

Kim Essex- Amazing teacher, extraordinary person...

I would like to take the time to acknowledge a woman that was a teacher of mine, when I was in high school. It has recently come to my attention that her name was submitted into a contest, to receive an award for being such a wonderful teacher. This makes me thrilled & hopeful that maybe she'll finally get some recognition for all she does. I'll tell you a little about her. First off, I have to say that she is an amazing teacher. But beyond that, she is one of the kindest, most exceptional people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. She works with a lot of kids who have troubled home lives. When she was my teacher, I was one of those kids. She has the ability to gain the trust of those children and takes that trust and treasures it. Many of them are in a world where to trust someone means opening yourself up to being hurt, yet again. But not with her, she will not let you down. She follows through with her word. Always. She has a passion towards teaching that is very rarely found. Any teacher can take a group of students with perfect lives, who come in wanting to learn, and make it fun for those students. But can any teacher take a group of students who others have told are no good, or cant be helped, and help them rise to the top? Can just any teacher help her students realize that even though no one else in their family has graduated, they can? Can just any teacher help her students to focus when they have so many horrible things going on in their home life? She can. And she does. Not only does she believe in her students, she teaches them to believe in their selves. Not only does she help them to realize that it's ok to have dreams, she helps them to make their dreams a reality. The reason that she deserves this award is because she has something that puts her above and beyond any teacher out there...Her heart.


Her name is Kim Essex. You can vote for her by going to my facebook page, I have posted a link there. Please take the time to vote. People like her are extremely rare, let's acknowledge her.  Thanks!!

Thank you

I sit here writing this tonight, so thankful to have such wonderful people in my life. I am truly touched by some people's willingness to put others before themselves. Touched  by those who happily help those in need, wanting no credit nor recognition, just doing it because it makes their hearts happy. If only the world were filled with more people like this, what a wonderful world this would be...Just wanted to say thank you... And even though I know you are so humble and selfless that you do not feel the need for thank you's, I can rest assured that you will receive your rewards in heaven. For surely God is smiling down on you right now... Thank You! 

xoxoxoxooxo ~Love, Shannon

Bella Boo

So, my youngest daughter Isabella, announced in the van today that she is going to marry Ian. Of course, we all wanted to know who this Ian boy was and her reply was, "He's a whitey, like you Andrew!" Hmmm...a whitey, ha? Not so sure about those whiteys!! lol  She went on to say he was so nice and that he has beautiful white skin & white hair (I'm assuming that means blond) Then she tells me she is sure that I would love to take his picture cuz he has a really "nice smile".  Andrew told her that he has to meet Ian before she can like him.  It made me smile to think that he was being protective over his baby sister. Good job Andrew. I don't think I started liking boys until I was in about 3rd grade & I never even kissed a boy until I was 13. And as far as Kimmy, well...she came home from school about a month ago & said, "All the boys like me Mama. I must be beautiful!!" It was pretty funny the way she said it. But then I explained to her about how she has to graduate & go to college before she can like boys, and how even then, she needs to look for a nice, smart, dorky boy who loves God. NO JERKS!! She said, "What's a gerk Mama?" I told her "gerks" are boys who think they are so cool & just like people because of how they look on the outside, & that it's what is on the inside that really matters. I want so much for my children to pick nice, God fearing mates when they are older. I guess that's what every parent wants...