The Shannon Family: 2012

2012 School/Family Pictures...

I don't use the school photographer anymore for my kids' school pictures. I take them to FotoFly and am sooo happy every time I get pictures there. Since my weight loss, this is the first year where I felt comfortable enough to get in some of the pictures and actually buy them to put on my wall. Here are a few of the best pics....

More Stuff...

So, September started out with a BANG. The first hit came from losing my job. This was devastating to me, not because I didn't think I could get another one, nor because it was my dream job...in fact the job was pretty stressful...it was because I had finally started making plans to move on with my life. I had started looking for a new place to live since I have to be out of student housing by December 4th, I was finally able to support myself 100% without Denver's help, and just had the peace of mind that came with being able to breathe a little. It was as though the rug was pulled right out from under me. I normally deal with stress pretty well, but this really knocked me on my butt for about a week. Even now, I have days where it is a huge effort to think positively. It caused a massive eczema breakout on my face too...at least thats what we think it was.

I thought it might be an allergic reaction to some new makeup or face wash I was using but I have since used them with no problem. I looked horrific for about four days (as you can see in this nasty picture I am sharing with you, ugh). Ian kindly mentioned that I looked like I had aged 20 years...haha. Glad that is over. I do have a few good prospects for jobs at the moment and I am anxiously, and impatiently awaiting call backs from them for interviews. One thing I will say is that a degree really makes a difference and I am soooo glad I have it.

The other hit came from Ian breaking his arm. We had gone camping with my best friends' family the weekend before Labor Day, which I might add was a lot of fun in spite of the injury. They have all sorts of "toys" - a Prowler, a 4-wheeler, a gigantic trailer with a TOILET...my kind of camping :)

Here is Evan driving the Prowler. He felt like a pretty big dude on this. LOL

Ian really wanted to ride the ATV and I was a little nervous but my friend showed him how and he had on a full face helmet. Not to mention it was Ian, my cautious rule follower and we were in a very benign, flat campground. No real hazards, like cliffs to roll over. So I allowed it and he had been riding around in circles, fairly slowly, all day long.

Here is Ian riding the ATV before he broke his arm

About 5 pm Shannon and her hubby had gone to get firewood so I was left in the campground with the kids and Lori - another adult female friend. Ian wanted to get on and ride again, so I said OK. He had just passed us and had gone up a small hill just out of sight when we suddenly heard this weird screaming. There were kids in an adjacent campground so we thought it was one of theirs. The sound I was hearing didn't sound like any of my kids. Not to mention I could still hear the ATV running so I just knew it wasn't Ian. A few seconds later the scream was accompanied with the word "MOMMY" and I knew it was him. I hope in my lifetime to never hear any of my children scream like that or feel the panic that I felt in that moment. It's nauseating even now recalling it. Lori and I started running full bore to see what had happened. Visions of the worst possible scenario's crossed my mind in the three seconds it took us to get to him. Thankfully, it had not rolled on top of him, nor had he run over any of the little kids in the adjacent campground (my two worst thoughts). He was walking toward me screaming that he broke his wrist. When I got him to lay down, I picked up his arm and realized immediately that it was broken.

Apparently he tried to turn the corner and hit a groove which jerked the handle bars. He panicked and gripped the handle (which was the gas) harder which shot the ATV over a small drop-off and into a ditch. Ian, not wanting to go over the edge with the ATV tried to jump off and in the process of landing, snapped his wrist in two places. We had a wonderful neighbor camper who was so kind to calm us all down enough to get the car so he could help Ian get in, and we raced to the hospital.

Yay for drugs!!! LOL.

8 hours later he went home with his Dad who had driven up from SLC to be with us at the hospital and I returned to camp where my other two children remained with Lori and Shan. Since it was already after midnight and my kids were asleep, I stayed there and fretted over Ian all night. A week later he got a permanent cast on and now is anxiously awaiting its removal on October 3rd.

What an adventure. He claims he will NEVER ride a four wheeler again. If it were anyone other than Ian I wouldn't believe that but it took this cautious child of mine five years to attempt riding a bike again after he fell off one at age five.

I turned 41 this September so I am officially "in my 40's." Its a strange feeling really and parts of it freak me out a little, I'm not going to lie. But, I feel relatively well having lost 45 pounds since February.

I am almost down to the size I was when I married Denver 15 years ago. I am finding joy in shopping for clothes again, something I haven't felt for over a decade. I still have another 40 or so to go but I hope by this time next year to be racing in a triathlon. I am determined. Life is plugging along, no slower than usual unfortunately. I look at my children and wonder where all the time has gone. It has been a rough year for me emotionally with the end of my marriage and the recent struggle with employment but I do see a light at the end of the tunnel. I think next year is going to be a lot better and I am anxious to start that phase NOW. Hah. Six more paychecks until Christmas!!!! 2013 will be here before you know it.

Here are some more pics of the kids camping...

Summer Catch Up...

So....four months later. I cannot believe how fast the time has gone and how long it has been since I sat down to update this blog. There is no way I could possibly catch up on everything so I will just highlight the major stuff, throw in a few pics, and call it a day.

Graduated!!!! Yes it is true. May 4th, 2012, I finally finished my Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Utah. Twenty years too late, but better late than never. This will go down in history as the second greatest thing I have ever accomplished - first one being my children. It was awesome to participate in the ceremony and have my parents, brothers, and best friend in the world there to show their love and support. The most amazing day ever. Now if I could just get a job that would be really great :)

Hawaii!!! This will go down in history as the best vacation ever. Lot's of bests happening this year. I went to island of Kauai with my good friend Kellie. Kris usually joins us on these annual girls' trips but wasn't able to make it this year. Seven days of the most beautiful place I have ever seen. I could have stayed forever, but I had kiddos to come home to. Seriously though, I have set a goal to return every year. It was that good.

Employed!!! Ok, well this good news didn't last very long. Four weeks to be exact. I fell into a great job as an Executive Assistant to the CEO. The pay was more than I had hoped for just graduating and the company philosophy seemed very cool with so much promise. Sadly, they had to lay off the majority of their employees and that included me. I have just decided that it must mean there is a better job ready for me now and I just had to take this one to pass the time until the dream job was available. Seriously though, if you have any leads for editing/technical writing jobs I'd love to hear about them.

Welcome flowers from my boss.

That pretty much wraps up the major events of the past four months. I would post something noteworthy and/or poetic but Im not feeling it today. I chose to update the blog to avoid having to actually do anything. Laziest Sunday ever. Here are some additional pictures of stuff.

MAY:

Alec graduated from High School so we made a trip down to Arizona to show our love and support. He has really grown up and it was evident that he has softened his attitude toward us. Its always nice when they can finally start forming their own opinions of the world. The kids were ecstatic to see him again.

Was able to visit with my Grandma and Aunt Alice while in Arizona. That was such a treat!

Me and Mr. Ian at Alec's Graduation

Made a side trip to the Grand Canyon on the way home since none of us had ever been there before.

More Grand Canyon fun.

Ian played the Tin Man in his school play this year. He really loves the acting/singing thing and I really love watching him.

His awesome 5th grade teacher, Sandra Watkins, who organized the play and gave Ian so much love and support.

Addison with the Good Witch, Glenda aka Ruby :)

Taking their bows, enjoying the applause.

Addison graduated from Kindergarten this month. Hard to believe I don't have anymore little babies anymore. She was sooooo excited for this day. She kept saying "Mom you are going to cry, right" Hahaha.

Addies Kinder teacher Ms. Barrett

Addison lost her big teeth this month too.

The kids participated all year in a theater group called Up with Kids and in May they performed the musical "Rapunzel." Ian played the lead role of Flynn Rider, Evan had a big part as the King and Addison play both a Chameleon and a Fairy. It was so much fun and they all did a fantastic job.