The Love Bug Bites

Today I'm home sick with a touch of the flu. Body aches and chills. Yuck. It's the first time I've been sick for as long as I can remember. Usually when I'm taking a sick day it's because one of the boys are sick and we stay home watching movies and sipping chicken and noddle soup.

I don't know if it's being sick, last night's episode of Downton Abbey, or hormones, but I'm weepy over my kids today. I'm head over heels in love with both of them. There's nothing in the world either of them could do to make me love them any more, or any less, than I do.

My sweet Sam didn't get a nap on this January day, and as hard as he fought it, fell asleep on daddy's chair waiting for Papa and Grandma to come.

 

 

Henry = he who is blessed with a wild imagination. Henry can make believe pirates from a fork and spoon, a T-Rex from an apple, and can imagine birds larger than himself, sweeping through our living room. Everyday is an adventure in Henry's world.

 

 

I snapped these within a period of about 3 minutes while lying on the bed watching Monsters Inc. When Sam watches a movie, it becomes very personal.

 

Obviously flabbergasted about Mike Wazowski's response to James P. Sullivan. I mean, after all, they were BEST friends.

 

Sam's favorite snack right now is pretzels. He simply can't get enough. It's not unusual for him to waken me by swinging a bag of pretzels over my face in the mornings.

 

The GrisWARD Family Christmas

The weekend after Christmas we headed to Texas to press on, and have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny Kaye. And when Santa squeezed his fat white bottom down the chimney that night, he found the jolliest bunch of elves this side of the nuthouse. Thank you Clark Griswold.

This was the first Christmas since Grandmother Shirley passed away, and I was fearful that with both grandparents on the Ward side gone, the Ward clan may not congregate as usual. Thank you, Aunt Susan, for making sure we did.

Cousin Craig is one of the funniest guys we know. He can make all of us belly laugh, especially Henry.

 

 

I am thankful for laughter, until milk comes out of my nose!

 

 

 

After Henry gained his composure

 

 

Miranda taking over Yahtzee. I'm quite certain this little beauty could master anything put in front of her.

 

 

 

Madison and her Kiwi, whom we all adore. Thanks for crossing the ocean to spend your Christmas with our crazy family, Ryan!

 

 

Miss Molly looking adorable as ever

  

 

 

Doing what Riselings and Wards do best. Laughing together around the kitchen table while drinking our Riesling and talking about times of yore. 

 

Mom and Aunt Susan, the hostess with the mostess

 

 

Like two peas in a pod

 

 

Lucy

 

 

 

 

Yo Queiro Taco Bell

 

 

 

Still very much in love

 

 

Or, at least they were before Susan started honking Uncle Larry's nose

 

 

The Riseling female half

 

 

A day without laughter is a day wasted.

 

 

So, long story short, my mom's brother (Larry) married my dad's sister (Susan)...this is okay, I promise...and had four beautiful children (Craig, Madison, Mollie, Reid). You can imagine how well we all get along, same genes and all. Lots of laughs shared on family vacations, and some humiliation on the slopes of Colorado.

 

 

 

 

I'm beginning to wonder if we're going to loose Madison to her New Zealand mate. But we love Ryan, so as sad as we are to say goodbye, we know she's in good hands...and this means we'll have insiders to show us around the island when we go for a visit!

 

 

 

 

Henry idolizes his cousin, Miranda. Especially now, after gifting him with an alligator that stands taller than he does. He loves his new alligator friend, Miranda!

 

 

Check out those knees! So strong, Molly!

 

 

 

Because the family has grown, both in size and in age, instead of buying gifts for EVERYONE, we play a mean game of Dirty Santa. Lots of goodies (and tricks) lying under this tree.

 

 

 

One of my favorite Dirty Santa gifts. Dig the hat, man!

 

Bedazzled

For those of you that have never heard of Stella and Dot, allow me to introduce you via my new Stella and Dot web page - http://www.stelladot.com/sites/michalshaw.

For over one year now, I've toyed with the idea of becoming a Stella and Dot Stylist. For several reasons -

1. The jewelry is fabulous and irresistible.
2. I LOVE getting together with my girlfriends, and making new girlfriends. Who wouldn't love that?!
3. Unlike shopping for pants, sizes don't apply to jewelry.
4. I'd LOVE to have extra cash to send to this sweet young lady. And cash to sponsor more children just like her.

(Mekdes is 11 and lives in Ethiopia. We've been sponsoring Mekdes for over five years and over those years have fallen in love with her and the mission of Compassion International.)

So, all this to say, I've finally taken the plunge. And I vow not to pressure or stalk my friends with Stella and Dot parties and jewels. Pinkie swear. But should you be looking for an excuse to get your girlfriends together, or simply want some delightful new bangles, call me!

Anniversary Hurrah

Six sweet years ago (tomorrow), I married the love of my life. And, apart from the two days our boys were born, it was the happiest day of my life. I love you, Wade, more now than ever.

The moment I became Mrs. Shaw

 

 

I do.

 

Whispering sweet nothings

 

 

Whatever he whispered, it worked

 

 

Our first dance as Mr. and Mrs. Shaw.

 

 

This wasn't just Wade's first dance as a married man. It was his VERY FIRST dance. (Minus the dance lessons we had in the kitchen prior to our wedding day.)

 

 

It's funny the things that become important as a bride plans her wedding. For me, it was my shoes and the cake. Oh, the cake. Seven tiers of white, decadent goodness.

 

I had high expectations...literally

 

 

And Wade delivered

 

 

 

 

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.

I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;

so I love you because I know no other way

than this: where I does not exist, nor you,

so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,

so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

 

 

And he surprised me with flowers and a note.