8/365

Shelby.

Au Natural. 2pm.

Ready for a night out. 9:28pm

363/365

apparently the blog has been a little Kaeden heavy,
and there have been requests for more Shelby content...

so here you go, the first Shelby installment:

her and Monkeybutt (our family mascot) who got changed from his Christmas tee to his hockey sweatshirt

319/365 Vogue eat your heart out...

These pictures were inspired by a cute conversation I had with Shelby today about her jeans and my desire to try an edgy, different from the normal everyday photo shoot.

the conversation that had me giggling was Shelby's outrage that her brand new jeans had a rip in them.

me: Ummm, Shelby, your jeans are full of holes?

Shelby: Yeah yeah I know, but here (pointing to the fabric behind one of the tears) see, it is ripping.

me: right...I see the difference.

I guess you just can't buy a good pair of ripped jeans these days.

this picture is of Shelby and her dad comparing the rips/tears/wholes in their pants. The difference I guess is that Shelby's are meticulously placed and planned. Scott's are from extreme wear and tear.

~ the pictures were taken in our driveway, with my car pulled back onto the sidewalk with the high beams on.

203/365

turtle shell is now 18...

tonight Matt turned 18
Shelby as the older woman
and having 2 days on him
took him to the Casino

she was very proud of her $38 winnings
(on the 5 cent "fishy" slot machine)

Matt the birthday boy was $17 up

Scott and I?
not so lucky
the roulette table was cruel so very cruel

I for one am grateful the 18th
birthday extravaganza
has reached its end...

apparently I am way too old
for late nights and drinking
(my one whole drink)

Shelby and Matt on the other hand
are still going strong.

201/365 (Tuesday, July 20th)

Dear Shelby,

you made it.

we made it.

for the most part

all in one piece.

18 years old.

wow.

an adult in the eye of the law.

ready to take on the world

but still the little girl with the

curly hair and purple spandex pants

in my heart.

As you have been told

numerous times since you were four,

my job was not to be your BFF,

that there would be MANY many times

that you would not like me,

but my goal was not a popularity contest

it was to get you to 18 years old

not pregnant, out of jail and not on drugs,

you throw in a high school diploma when

we were told it would not be possible

I think we will mark this down as a success

and the best part of it all?

we still like and LOVE each other.

for now I am still the "cool" mom.

To be honest you probably helped us

grow up and be who we are today

as much as we may have helped you

do the same thing.

We (you, me, your dad) have been been

very fortunate to have a supportive network of

friends and family.

I am not sure we would be sane

(or at least somewhat sane)

without them.

I know you are scared

not sure what the future holds

or what you should do when you grow up

but know, that I am scared too

I have never been a mom to an adult before

you may not have noticed this about me

but I can be a bit of a control freak and a worrier

and I can tell you this for sure

just like you do not receive a copy

of "being a mommy for dummies" book

no one just flips a switch that stops

me from worrying and wanting to protect you.

At this point though I have to take

that leap of faith that your dad and I

have prepared you and provided

you with as many tools as possible

to be successful

and when I say successful, you need to know

that success is defined by your rules

not someone elses.

You are the boss of you and no one can

tell you what you need to think and believe.

No matter what,

you need to know and

UNDERSTAND that your dad and I LOVE you

with all of our being and will always be here for you

and we are very VERY proud of who you have

become...

even if you can be bossy sometimes!

love mom and dad

ps. remember to make good choices during this birthday week extravaganza.

bonus pictures from her birthday party at Matt's grandparent's farm:

her present from Matt,

Chunky the Sock monkey

18 years ago this very second...

our life as we knew it was about to change FOREVER.

in 8 hours, 18 years ago, I was to report to the hospital
for a planned cesarean birth
(as Miss Shelby had decided feet first was the way to enter this world)

however, that was not the only decision she had made

she also decided
why wait for a boring planned birth
when you can give your two young scared parents
a taste of the next 18 years

with a dramatic, water breaking
(exactly 18 years ago as I type this)
"are you sure you just didn't pee yourself"
call the doctor, quickly read what to expect when your expecting
hairy scary, run a red light,
trip to the hospital

the adventure had started

and why oh why end the fun there

she also decided she would try the
natural feet first entry
with no help by anyone else thank you very much

but unfortunately gravity got the best of her there
and we were wheeled off for
an emergency c-section

in exactly 5 hours, 50 minutes (5:59am)
18 years ago

we were given the best gift ever

two young, scared, not at all prepared kids
got a:
I'm going to give you a run for your money
and see what you are really made of
7lb 12 oz 21 inch bundle
of princess pink.

whose name up to that moment was Ashleigh
but at 6:02am 18 years ago
when the nurse asked us her name...

without a hesitation Scott and I said
"Shelby"

151/365 the day that we have been looking towards for a very long time...

Grade 12 Graduation Mass and Convocation Ceremonies

in grade 3 we were told Shelby

would not be a high school graduate,

she just did not have the mental capacity

and there was a very good chance that

she would not be able to hold down a job,

take public transit or

live on her own,

basically she would NEVER be a

quick as a whip, sarcastic, thoughtful,

caring, intelligent, read 4 books a week,

independent, dependable, trustworthy

young lady...

really?

well obviously Shelby did not get the memo

because what she wasn't going to be is

exactly who and what she is

to this day Scott and I are not

sure how all of the doctors, specialists and educators

who we feel, or choose to believe at least,

had her best interests in their hearts

could be so off the mark

from the very first meeting when we were told

and through all of the following discussions,

we have always thought the above diagnosis was

for lack of more intelligent adjective, CRAP

and still today think there is not an ounce of truth

to their diagnosis.

their description was in no way

what we saw in a little girl that

could wrap anyone around her finger

and negotiate (aka argue) to the end of time

for what she wanted

and make friends with everyone and anyone

Shelby does struggle

we will all agree with that,

her math abilities are not strong

abstract thinking takes awhile

spelling, well let's just leave it at...

thank gosh for spellcheck

and while I may get to an answer

by going from Point A to B,

Shelby may go A to C to K to L to Y to R TO B

but she will get there.

I challenge you though to find me someone that

doesn't struggle with some of these areas as well.

Some of her schoolmates may have high IQ's

however, I will make a large wager that she would kick

their arses with her EQ score (Emotional Quotient).

this is her golden key

her success will come from her ability

to relate to many different types of people

her work ethic

her negotiation skills

& the fact she is just plain kind

and suffers from the same frustrating characteristic

as her mom...

she thinks everyone is basically good

and she can find something positive in almost every single person.

However the most helpful characteristic she probably has

is how darn tenacious she is.

If you want her to achieve something

then you just tell her it is not possible

that she can't do it

and she will battle to the end to prove you wrong...

that willingness to prove the naysayers wrong

and the unbelievable support from her family and

our extended network of friends...

we were able to see the end reward of the

tears, frustration, sleepless nights

stomach aches, head aches,

teasing at school,

& ongoing friend problems

this weekend.

It has been a wonderful weekend

and even more meaningful

when we reflect on how far she has come

what adversities she had to meet head on

and that she not only met the very high

expectations Scott and I set for her

but she surpassed them by leaps and bounds.

to put it simply,

we are very proud parents.

now we look forward to doing this

all over again with this one

and I can tell you right now

that it is going to be an

interesting adventure

in its own rights!

Bonus Picture:

Operation Healthy Family takes a hiatus on

this special day...

a few more...

150/365 holy cameras batman...

the SLR tally is now 3

in our house

with the addition of Shelby's grad gift

a Canon Rebel Digital SLR

I was touched and proud when

she expressed interest in a good solid

camera for her grad gift

as I kind of thought it would be

Tiffany jewelery or an i-phone.

I have learned so much about myself,

life and others through the camera lens that

I am excited that it is being passed to the

next generation and that she sees the

importance of spending time

exploring her creative side.

who knows if this will turn into the

passion that I have or will just be a tool

for her to capture her everyday life

whatever she decides

I know that she will always appreciate

the chance to make time stand still

& record this new, scary & hopefully

exciting time in her life.

tomorrow is her graduation

mass and convocation,

so far I have kept it together

and only shed a few tears

the slideshow my friend Krista did

for us, showing Shelby from a baby to now

was impossible to get through without

a few (or more) tears, I am not sure there were

many dry eyes at Shelby's pre-grad party

thanks Krista, you did an awesome job &

she will always treasure the DVD.

we will see how I do

when she is in her graduation robe

and is walking across the stage,

that may be my final undoing.

I will be sure to pack a few boxes

of tissues just in case.

149/365 one word Saturday

beautiful.

147/365 I feel so much happier than this picture...

but this is the visual reality of today

doom and gloom

cold

snowy

blustery

however

I feel the opposite

full of hope

ready for the weekend

prepared to cry

but in a good way

Shelby is excited

she is ready

hair, makeup,

fancy clothes

and a massive umbrella

for pictures

we are Canadian

a little bit of cold weather

can't stop us

there will be pictures

smiles

tears

stories

laughs

&

good wishes for

her future

all that potential

just waiting

to explode

world,

you are on notice

she is going

to kick some arse.

139/365 sparkle and shine

Shelby and I did a power shop

for grad accessories tonight and not

to get all "I told you so" like with her

but I knew that when the time was right

it would all come together and there was

no need for the doom and gloom panic

that we were never going to find anything

in time...

2 hours and a little bit of luck

and she is ready to shine...literally!

we have...

~ shoes, that she can ALMOST walk in

~ a beautiful jewelled hair band (which I think will look so good when she has her hair done, the instructions to Amber (our friend/hairdresser) will be...

we want her hair so big that she will be ready to accept her country music award!

ok, we are kidding, well not really...the hope is for classic hair but with a lot of attitude

~ a beautiful vintage inspired flower necklace, lots of sparkle and it makes a statement but doesn't appear to overwhelm Shelby or the dress. We were a little unsure on it when she put it on with the dress but we really think that the issue for us is that we are having a hard time visualizing how it will all pull together when she has her hair back in a messy braid and no makeup - the attitude filled hair and dramatic make up will probably make all the difference.

~ a great sparkly ring

it is all slowly coming together.

I have no idea about what I will be wearing but I can 100% guarantee that there better be somewhere to store the 3 boxes of kleenex that I will be needing - already got all misty picking out shoes....not sure I will make it through the grad weekend!

323/365 a friends and family interview (by request)...

Miss Shelby

me: Hey Shelby thanks for joing me even though you are not well (she has a nasty cold/flu)

Shelby: wow mom are we on a game show

me: ha ha... there has been a request for a hard hitting Barbara Walters like interview (but no worries, without the tears) with you, my generation Y'er, getting ready to graduate and get out there & set the world on fire, so here we go...

Shelby: oh..I get the whole formal, thanks for joing me, just like a Barbara Walters interview...maybe I should get my own reality show but not like Paris Hilton.

me: ok you ready...

Shelby: ah yeah (said in that perfect 17 year old sarcastic tone that screams... ah duh, I'm sitting here looking at you) I am ready to get this party started as we are going to dance all night (singing with a little chair dancing, the cold medicine has kicked in)

what do you think is the biggest issue in our society today? we have so many, I would like to say the war, that seems to be a big thing but I think if people could just stop being mean to each other, we need to be like hippies and just all get along. I also think if we didn't lie to each other, you know just totally telling the truth...it would be so much better - everyone is always trying to please each other, and not hurt feelings but if you are just honest to people it would solve a lot of issues

How can we create change? ummm...for what, like everything in the world...ok for starts no more lies, be ourselves....we also need to stop analyzing skinny people thinking that is the way we have to look.

How will you personally create the change you want to see in the world? I will always treat people kindly, I will not idoize people like Britney Spears but people who are real and I will be myself and continue to make my mistakes...that is what we do...make bad choices and then learn from them

If there was anyone that that you could have dinner with (alive or dead), who would it be? Audrey Hepburn but there is just so many people I want to meet, I would love to have dinner with the Tragically Hip because they seem like they would be so funny. I also like having dinner with you and dad.

Do you have a mentor? and if so who is it? ummmm, any person, a woman who is strong, edgy and goes her own path, any one in my life that impacts me - I don't have just have one person...there are many different people, like you, who always support me, especially when dealing with mean friends.

What is the most important quality that people in your life need to have? they need to be at least nice, at least to me...they have to be funny - they need to make me laugh - as long as they are nice, treat me well and make me laugh then I want them in my life - I don't have time for drama

What do you think is a negative charasteric of your generation? that we think it is ok to text while working, it drives me crazy - if you are at work you should be working - I want to prove to people in your generation that we are not lazy. Also, it seems that if someone tells us we can't do anything, we believe them and don't even bother trying. It seems we only thrive if we have tons of encouragment - and can't just do it ourselves. Where, I thrive on negativity, like "you can't do this" and then proving them wrong

So you are saying your generation needs more tough love? yes..in some spots. Sure sometimes we need encouragment but sometimes we need to be told suck it up and get it done.

You mentioned that you think my generation (the older crowd) think you guys are lazy? is it a true assesmnet or perhaps our expecations are just too high? I think it's in the middle, we are perhaps too tech reliant and maybe are a bit lazy but I think you guys lump us all together, I had to do a whole CALM class at school on why your generation thinks we are lazy.

What do you think is a postivie about your generation? that we are open to more cultures - we are not so closed minded - it doesn't bug us if people are gays or lesbians, we are more accepting and open to change - that is why the USA has a black president, the younger generation is open to change.

Do you think the world is a good place? ummm, generally yeah I like my life, I like the world..but I wouldn't say it is a GREAT place, we have people starving, we have murder, we have bullying, we have people starving themselves as they feel they need to meet an unrealistic expectation of what skinny is, little girls are growing way too fast - with all that we can't say the world is great but we do have a postivie side, we have love, we have different cultures, we are growing as a society, we unite to change things, we are becoming a stronger society - everything has a good and bad - you can't have a great world without bad and good things - oh yeah we have diseases as well - put that in the bad things.

If you had a magic wand and could change just one thing in your world what would it be? hmmm...ummm...I don't think I would change anything. I think the good and the bad are needed, it is what it is. I wish perhaps I had a closer girlfriend but I mean I guess I can change that.

Staying with the whole magic wand thing...what would you change in the world? well, I would like diseases to stop and the war to stop but I don't think that will happen...if I learnt anything in social class it would be that.

So you don't think there is such a thing as world peace? to a certain degree, I think we can all get along, but I think it is our nature to have conflict. We have to argue and battle it out to get the good. When you argue with someone, you work things out and it gets resolved.

What is your one piece of advice for someone younger, for instance, a 9 year old girl? to not grow up too fast, enjoy little girl things, like cinderalla

me: Do you think you are a role model?

Shelby: no, I would like to be...I guess somewhat, I make mistakes and am not perfect but I would like to think that I am a good person - I would tell someone younger to go out and try things, make mistakes...ok, I guess I am one, maybe I don't feel like one, but I think I am and I hope that a little girl will look up to me one day

gee mom that was a really hard question, why did you have to get so deep. Do YOU think I am a role model mom? I guess I am when you look at my school struggles and working for what you want.

Me: I think you are, especially for your brother. I also think that you are a great representative for your generation as you want to work hard and be a postive contributer to society and believe that the world can be a good place.

Shelby: of course the world can be a good place we just have to work on it.

I am a good role model as long as you don't tell the kids I like Sex in the City as that is NOT very role modelish.

me: one last question

Shelby: Ok let's hear it. If you could have any pair of shoes...

me: well not really what I was thinking but since you brought it up, what is your dream shoes?

Shelby: I would love a pair of "make your own converse". I would also like a high heeled pair of sparkly girly shoes.

me: What do you want to be remembered for?

are you paying attention to me (as she is busy texting, good thing she isn't working : )

Shelby: ahh yeah (that "duh" tone of voice again)...I am a multi tasker!

Me: ok...back to my question

Shelby: I'm listening (you guessed it... same adorable tone of voice again)

Me: I already asked it

Shelby: What?

me: so you really weren't listening?

Shelby: you never asked one...what is it?

me: ok...What to you want to be remembered for?

Shelby: you never asked that...I interrupted you about shoes...

but it would be being a good mom and wife, and being the best person I can be. I am sure when I grow up I will have more things I want to be.

anything else you want to say? (mischievous grin, smile, evil glint in her eyes) nope...ok, maybe just that everyone should read Sarah Dessen books - they are cute girly romantic books that make me smile...as boys sure don't do what they say in her books, it's fun to read and escape!

thanks Shelby.

Welcome mommy, thanks for interviewing me.

239/365 school is in session

Kaeden (grade 1) Shelby (grade 12)

well we survived.

day one is complete.

Kaeden attended (even though he did advise me last week, that he"didn't have room in his schedule for school, especially a full day")

and is even willing to give it another go tomorrow.

He was pleasantly surprised that it was not as bad as he thought,

it was almost "a little fun".

Shelby did well,

her hair worked out, her outfit rocked, she looked good

her boyfriend picked her up for school

she saw her friends

and had plans to chill out for the afternoon

all very important parts of a successful first day

until...

an unplanned trip to the hospital with

a very severe suspected allergic reaction

complete with hives

and as an extra bonus,

a most likely not related

possible strep throat diagnosis

It was a crazy afternoon and

Shelby is a bit worse for wear

but she is home and hopeful

that she can go to school tomorrow

or at the very least the lake this weekend.

Last year she started out the school year

with appendicitis and an eventful trip to the Fernie hospital

and I guess she needed to find something to top it this year.

Here is hoping day 2 is much calmer.

201/365 we interrupt our regularly scheduled What's for Dinner post for...

Miss Shelby's 17th Birthday celebration

and what's the best thing to have for dinner on your birthday

ummm cake of course.

we also had mashed potatoes.

17  random facts about Shelby...

1. her favourite colour is pink
   
2. and favorite food is mashed potatoes
   
3. is very easy going and likable. a definite people person.
   
4. extremely loyal to her friends which as she has learned the hard way this year doesn't always guarantee things will work out the way you want them to.
5. resilient 
6. sensitive, cares about the world and people around her
7. an eye roller and shoulder shrugger (which drives me crazy & that is why I think she continues to do it :)
8. until 2 years ago, Kaeden called her "this"
9. eclectic taste in music, NKOTB, Metallica, Def Leppard, Tragically Hip, Taylor Swift, Pearl Jam, a bunch of bands I have no idea what their names are, other then they all sound like Fall out Boy to me, Billy Joel, ABBA...just to name a few
10. had the curliest hair (full of ringlets) until she was 2
11. her favourite pants when she was 4-6 year old were these bright purple spandex leggings, she wore them all the time and they truly were the ugliest pants around but you couldn't tell her that.
12. broke her foot 2 years ago when her dad threw a frozen salmon at her (while they were cleaning out the freezer) and she panicked, shrieked, put her hands up to protect her face didn't catch it & it landed on the top of her foot - we called her fish foot for a very long time.
13. used to practice her crying and pouting in the mirror when she didn't think we were watching (she was around 3 or 4 yrs old, hey who knows, maybe she still practices :)
14. is great with children and has taught many a little girl (and boy) how to shake their bootie and have a dance party anywhere and anytime.
15.  makes a mean batch of chocolate chip cookies which I think she learnt from baking with Krista way back in the day at the old apartment building and pancakes, which she picked up from making pancakes with Grandma B at every sleepover and many Sundays.
16. is not neat
17. but rocks as a daughter. She put Scott and I through our paces very early as parents and Kaeden will have to thank her when he is older and can appreciate any decent parenting he received from us was a direct result of what we learnt from this little screaming bundle that we, 2 very young shell shocked newly minted parents, brought home a very quick 17 years ago.  Who taught us... to be patient, how to block out noise by standing in the shower or turning the radio up real loud, to find and then embrace our somewhat unorthodox parenting style, to believe in what we think is right, to be crusaders for our children, to be strong, to have a support network and maybe most importantly, how to love unconditionally.  

ps...I did not receive "clearance" to post the above picture as she is at the lake this week, there is a chance she may not be thrilled as there was no time for makeup or primping but hey, it's my blog and I will post if I want to (sung, off key, to it's my party and I will cry if I want to)

numbers Tuesday is brought to you by...

a whole lot of silliness and the number...Kaeden was not impressed as you can tell from the above picture as he really wanted to hold the number 6. I tried to explain the fact I needed 1-7-4 but my little drama king wanted no part of it.
these 3-d glasses just don't get old around here.
and Matt was such a good sport, he was a little confused to why I needed a picture of 174 but he just kept smiling anyways.

a VERY BIG day in the world of metal

or I should say

"LACK" of metal

as today was braces removal day 

for Shelby

this was 4 years in the waiting...

first picture: 8:45am

second picture:9:40am
there is a year of clear retainers

in her future

but she is not complaining

she is just thrilled to have a 

"toothy" versus "metally" smile

and as I am in denial of how

quickly she is growing up

I am NOT talking about how

grown up and beautiful 

she looked as soon as she

became metal-less. 

Thursday is family/friends night - 8/365

and there is a good, actually an excellent chance 

if you fall into one of these two areas

that you will be featured here

as if we do the math 

there will be 52 Thursdays

and I may need to make more friends! 

tonight we begin with:

Miss Shelby Ann Joy

the interview:

What is your favourite thing to do? read books and watch movies from the eighties

What is your least favourite thing to do? math

What was the last film you saw at the theater? Bolt 3D

What is your favorite TV show?   90210 or Gilmore Girls

What do you want to be when you grow up? a gypsy(a look from mom) just kidding, something that will get me through life or a foot model..well something I like that will get me through life, well I am not really sure yet, I could be a dentist but I don't like looking at teeth, blood makes me woozy, a tree doctor maybe.  

What food do you dislike?  tomatoes, slimy tomatoes and fish, fish and I are not friends!

What is your favorite song at the moment?  I have about 20, Poker Face, Are you ready, We didn't start the fire and that Nah Nah Nah song by Akon, every hour there is a new favourite song

Favorite item of clothing?  hmmm, my new jeans

If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? California or New York

Favorite sport to watch?  (she laughs) and then states the rock, paper, scissors commercial. Also hockey, they have very cute boys.

Are you a morning person or a night person? night

What is your favorite candy?   rockets

What is your favorite flower?   gerbers (pink)

If you were a crayon, what color would you be?  pink

If you were candy, what would you be? bubble gum, because I am sweet and bubbly

Favorite drink? Starbucks Venti Non Fat Vanilla Earl Grey Tea Misto, Fresca, Good old fashioned milk

Favorite restaurant? that's hard, Ricky's for their brekkie bowl

What are you afraid of ?  spiders, tripping down the stairs

Favorite day of the week? Saturdays

Favourite Memory of last year? camping at Baynes Lake and our 2 week road trip and hanging out with family in Montana

What makes you happy? cupcakes, my brother, singing with my mom(on sing star) good hair days, making it though math class, nice compliments, getting hugs from my dad

What makes you sad? bad hair days, dislike when people are mad at me and when I don't understand math or when I miss the bus

What story/memory will you tell your grandchildren about? my broken foot caused by a fish that my dad threw at me (if you don't know that story, then let me know and I will try and give you the short and sweet version) and I will tell my grandchildren about my rocker days, especially going to NKOTB

Describe yourself in one word. Sweet