Pictures...

I still haven't perfected the art of the pics yets,,,,so below is Riley, Tori, Wes (Christmas 2009) Shell and Ray (Christmas 2009). Beaux, Jaz, and Hope. In the above pics are Angel...and Riley, Tori, Wes, Lauren, and Brit on Christmas eve @ Mamas

Update

OK....I know it 's been a while....my mom keeps telling me. Since Sept not much has changed we are just keeping busy as usual. In Oct I started working some evenings in the ER, instead of nights for a second job, it works out better for me. We went to the rodeo/Forestry festival/fair and had a really nice time. November was Thanksgiving. We had a really nice Thanksgiving with mama. Trey and Steph got to come home for a week. I was glad to have them for Thanksgiving, but sad they wouldn't be here for Christmas. It's our first Christmas without Trey. I worked alot that week as I had several people on vacation and one out sick... Then came Christmas, we had a wonderful Christmas. On a sad note we finally have decided to give up on a family tradition of going to Ray's moms for Christmas dinner, it was just too tense, and too many people in a small area. Heartbreaking, I never realized until the last couple of years that Ray's Dad held the family together. He's probably not happy about the state of our family. A new nephew was born on Dec 24. My little brother Ryan in Fl and his girlfriend had a bouncing baby boy, he is Corbyn Rylan Danger Taylor, he is beautiful and has alot of hair. Riley and Tori are in their sophomore years in highschool. Both are doing ok, not great, but ok. Wes is in the 7th grade and doing ok as well. My mom and dad are doing ok. Mama makes beautiful bracelets and really loves it, it's her newest hobby. Wayne has been sick for a month or so, please pray for him, I think he gets so lonely some times. Dad and Sue are thinking about moving into a condo or something a little more manageable for them. Ray and are are doing great. Our 21st anniversary is coming up. He's my heart...my life..We got a great deal on a black boxer. He's gorgeous. We named him M & R's Reve Beaux (dream BO in french). Ray turned 40on Jan 12th ;)Riley will take his driver's test next week...boy oh boy...I lost about 60 pounds last year, would like to lose about 50 more...have to say, I'm looking pretty good :)Still have high blood pressure unfortunately. Now it's new year...Goals for me, Go back to school, be a good wife, mother, and daughter. Be a good manager. Lose 50 more pounds. Laugh more. Go to church more. Work on my house more....We just received word today that our Trey will be deployed to Haiti tomorrow. Pray for him and for those poor people there. My brother-in-law was in an accident yesterday and has a broken leg, he's in a cast to his hip...they will need lots of prayers too. For my family and friends. I love you and wish you joy, prosperity, and happiness throughout the coming year. Love Shell

quiet

Not much going on lately. Finally my Dad doesn't sound so depressed. Was worried about him for a while. I've been doing the same thing as usual...Working. Kids are in school and Ray is keeping us all in line. Wes had the flu last week. He was really sick, high fever, nausea, vomiting, body aches...then he got the worst cold sores on his lips and down his throat ever, he's doing better now, but missed several days of school. Tori was really excited about a BMX bike show she got to see. Riley is like me....keepin on. The boys may go on a boyscout campout this weekend depending on the weather....it's been raining ALOT. Our truck started shimming on the front end....estimate...800.00$$. My brother is seeing if a mechanic friend of his can fix it...the parts are only about 400.00$$ We had a barbecue on Sunday...Ray made some good ribs. We took a plate over to Wayne. That's been my non exciting life....I like it kinda...dare I say....quiet. Love and prayers for everyone...Shell

Family

Last week I received an urgent call from my dad. His youngest brother, my uncle Rob had a massive hemorrhagic CVA (stroke with bleeding). The pressure in his brain was so intense his brain shifted, the blood was actually spilling into the spinal fluid in his back. He died two days later at the age of 50. Ray and I went to Fla to be with my Dad who was devastated. I've never heard my Dad so distraught. We left Tues afternoon, drove 14 hours and got there Weds morn. We spent the day in the hosp with the family, then checked into a hotel. Trey and Chris, a friend of his, met us down there. The next day the family sent Uncle Rob home on hospice care and he died the next morning. We spent all the next day at my grandparents house where he lived, just taking turns sitting by him. He was unresponsive so the family just took turns holding his hand and talking to him. The next morning we received a call that the end was near. Ray and I were packing to leave but had planned to go out there one more time but did not make it before he died. He was surrounded by his siblings and for the first time since my grandparents died 7 years ago my dad said "we were a family". There had been a falling out over my grandparents estate and the family had not been together in seven years. It was neat the first day the memories in my grandparents house. Not much had changed over the years, there's still lots of stuff in the home. Lots of clowns. Lots of pictures. Only there was a hospital bed in the living room with a young man dying in it. The family prepared a meal and several of my cousins were there with their children. I remember seeing that years ago too. I haven't been around my father's family alot but the memories I have are good ones. I've had a little time to think. I have a wonderful family. A father who loves me even though we don't see eye to eye on alot of things. A step mother who loves me and has a gentle smile. A brother who is young but trying to set his path. A step brother and sister who love my dad. A bunch of Aunts and Uncles whom I don't know well but come together when needed. Alot of cousins and now second cousins too. A mother who accepts for who I am and is always there who loves me without question. A brother who is a friend. A mother in law whom I love and who is deeply spiritual. A bunch of brother and sister in laws who are great examples. A bunch of nieces and nephews who are loving, playful, and beautiful. A wonderful husband who does everything he can to make me happy, my heart and soul. Beautiful children...the very air that I breath. Thank God for them all.

diamond award

So today we got our 2008 Diamond award. Only 14 clinics were awarded this award in the whole south business unit...out of 1600 and we are the only unit in that 1600 to receive a double diamond. (2007 too). Any way, since I just took over as the clinical manager 4 mos ago I kinda was like... this isn't my award...Dr Saikali and our business manager told me this was indeed my award as I was the only nurse that stayed with them, both Denita and Daphne left....so YEA me!!! It was a chaotic day because all the big wigs from the company were there and some of the whos who from Leesville as well. The diamond award is awarded to certain clinics who meet certain indicators and whos pt satisfaction scores are good. It takes hard work...WE did it though..now the heat is on for a triple threat!! Have I said how much I love my job and how satisfying it is...Well, I'm saying it now...Not many people get to make a good wage and love doing it....Any way...I've put a few photos on....Love, Shell

update

Ok...Ok...I know it's been a little while...things have been busy as usual...Lets see..the kids started back to school. Tori wanted to go to Anacoco this year so she could turn over a new leaf, so we are driving her..actually Ray takes her and Riley to seminary in the morning and she rides to school with the Crowes and then we pick all of them up in the afternoon. Riley and Tori are both in 10th grade this year, both of them failed math last year so they are both doubled up on math, I hate that for them. I would rather they be able to focus on one, but the state says they have to do it this way, we'll see. Wesley is in the 7th grade and he is taking 8 classes! One thing we really didn't like was that his band instructor changed him to the base clarinet. We paid nearly 2000.00$ for his clarinet!! We have a meeting with her on Tues, Wes says she'll let him use a school instrument, but when he gets to high school, unless he gets the drums (which is what he wants) he has to supply his own instrument. So, we'll see about that too. I'm working as usual, but I really don't mind.. Ray takes care of everything at home...for a while we kinda forgot why he came home in the first place, now we remember, especially with the kids back to school. We are fixing to overhaul our kitchen...thank goodness!! Our washing machine leaked and our floor is getting soft in one spot. My brother's birthday was yesterday, we had him over and had a nice evening. Mama is working so she couldn't come. So I think we are going over there next week. Two birthday celebrations for my brother!! My other brother in Fla is having a baby with his girlfriend in dec, looks like a little boy. They are so excited. Ryan is in college in the Radiology program. I don't know Lindsey. I'm gonna take a couple of days off next week, my PTO is about to start spilling into my sick time, which I never get to use...I have close to 200 hours of sick time..even when I dislocated my knee I didn't get to use it because I have short term disability...company policy. So, I don't want to waste my PTO..We're gonna take the kids shopping next week, get a few more school things and some jackets, then later in Sept, take them shopping for some new church clothes...then we're gonna have a new family portrait made. Haven't had one in almost 2 years! Ray and I are reading the kids seminary scriptures with them for family scriptures so we know they are getting their reading assignments done. Last week we had the privilege to go to Reigns crossing over. It was fun...my how fast they grow. Our Wesley has a year until he gets his Eagle...and Riley needs to come up with a project. We also had Becky's baptism which was an extremely spiritual event. Ryan and Sandy performed "I am a Child of God". I dont think there was a dry eye in the church. The whole family was there, except for Trey. (of course he lives in Virginia) Trey and Steph are doing ok, Trey got a new car after he was involved in a major car accident about 1 month ago. Steph started back to college too. They are planning to come home for Thanksgiving this year...It will be the first Christmas with out my Trey...sigh. Any way...will go for now...love and prayers...Shell

What I know

What I know....I know that I love my family...I know that I love my Heavenly Father and I KNOW that He loves me. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ is true. I know that I only need believe that Jesus Christ, my elder brother, died for me...and I will be forgiven my sins.I know that I am doing everything I can to give my children everything they need and a few of the things they want and that I am being the best mother I know how. I say these things because I am frustrated...recently I was told by someone in my family that in 10 years we would be at the temple as a family one way or another, on this side of the veil or that....I know that this person has received a blessing and believes this 100%. I don't attend church like I should....and I know that I need to improve. I pray with my family several times a day...I have no doubt that we will be an eternal family some day. What I know is that I am human. My Father knows my heart and has made promises to me as well. I KNOW it is wrong to tell me that my husband, or me, or both of us will be dead in 10 years because we don't go to churh every week...When I was told this I was frustrated but had decided that I would be frustrated to myself, until my daughter was told the same thing...I love my family...all of them....We will follow our hearts....Our hearts will keep us on the right path and I KNOW we WILL be a forever family...Shell